Shoes That Make You Smile

Because of my various recent illnesses, I've been watching a lot of TV. Probably more then is healthy. A lot of TV means a lot of commercials, and one I've been seeing got my attention. It's an AT&T commercial that features a company called TOMS shoes. The commercial points out that for every pair of shoes you buy from TOMS, they give a pair to a child in need. This is SO ME! Of course, I had to check it out. I easily found their website and decided to buy myself (and a kid in need!) a pair.



The first thing that struck me was how colorful and fun the fabrics of the shoes are. I decided on the pink big dots for myself. So cute!

TOMS shoes are based on a traditional Argentinian design. They have a relaxed, comfy fit. They're very light. I would compare them with flip-flops in terms of comfort and support. There is some very slight arch support built in, but not nearly enough for me to wear all day. Most of the styles have a leather inner sole which helps make them a little more durable. The outer sole is made of rubber. These are the perfect shoes for summer when you get tired of your flip-flops! They're also great to throw on to run errands, or just do a little running around. Just DON'T wear them in the rain. Your feet will be soaked. The major downside I've found so far is that these get dirty! The fabric extends over the entire toe box and almost down to the ground so it's nearly impossible to keep them clean. I haven't tried to get the dirt out, but because of the leather, you can't really put them in the wash. I'll let you know how it goes! Also, because they're canvas, expect some stretching with wear. But I have to say I've gotten tons of compliments on them. And there's something to be said for shoes you can feel good about wearing. They come in mens, womens, and babies sizes with youth sizes in the works. And they come in vegan styles too!

Why can you feel good about giving shoes to a kid in need? Children in developing countries often go barefoot. Because they don't have access to other forms of transportation, these kids can walk miles a day. Having shoes offers protection, and the ability to walk distances that couldn't be covered barefoot. It also protects them from all sorts of preventable diseases. One of the most common ways for many diseases in developing countries to be spread is through the soil and into cuts and sores on bare feet. The simple prevention? Shoes! So get yourself a pair, and make a difference to one child today.

Cat Tree: A Product Review

In order to improve my rambunctious cat's behavior, I decided to buy him his very own piece of furniture, a cat tree. I hoped that the tree would encourage him to climb, scratch, and sleep there instead of on my furniture, as well as give him a comfortable view out the window. For the most part, this plan has worked perfectly. He's constantly in his tree. So in this sense, I'm very pleased with my purchase. I am a little disappointed, however, with the product I chose.

After a long online search, I chose the Amusement Park from Drs. Foster and Smith. I chose this particular one for various reasons. Among them, the company's long list of reasons why their product is superior to all the others. Others included the color choices, the mix of sisal and carpeted poles, and the general design and layout of the piece. It was just the size I was looking for. Not too big and bulky for my apartment, but still enough levels and features to provide some interest.

For the price, and how big a deal Drs. Foster and Smith make about their superiority, I found this product a little disappointing. The seams in the carpet are extremely obvious and thin. Plasticy carpet strings were hanging everywhere after assembly and took a good 5 minutes of trimming to get it looking presentable. And as the cat scratches certain places more strings appear. Also, with the scratching, there are small pieces of carpet everywhere. The included breakaway toy is nice and the breakaway definitely is safer for kitty, but at 5 lbs, it's not very fun for larger kitties. Mine takes about 45 seconds before it is on the floor and another minute before it is under the couch. And you have to attach the toy to the breakaway snap with a string you tie yourself and I'm a bit skeptical about my knotting abilities.

All of these things were only minorly annoying. I did get the tree on sale ($150 I think) so I was willing to deal with a few minor annoyances. Over the last week though, I have been noticing that the whole tree is crooked and wobbling terribly. So tonight, I spent ten minutes tightening all the legs and the bolts on the bottom. It is self assembly, but I was still shocked at the amount it loosened up in just six weeks. Two of the bolts were so loose I could actually turn them by hand. If I have to do this every 6 weeks, it's going to get mega annoying.

In contrast, my parents bought a smaller $75 cat tree from Petsmart (I couldn't find it on their website, but I know they have it in the store). They've had it for three years with absolutely none of the problems mentioned and, in fact, bought a second one which they've had for two years. Both still look as good as the day they were purchased and have never been tightened.

Overall, the Amusement Park is ok. But I wish I had saved the $75 and bought the more generic, but better quality Petsmart model.

Flow

I recently finally got Netflix and have really been enjoying it. Recently, it recommended a documentary to me called Flow. Flow is, in short, about water. As we know from previous posts (here and here) and my attendance at World Water Day a few years back, this is kind of an important issue to me. So I immediately added Flow to my queue. I just finished it this morning and whoa do I have a lot to say.

In short, the movie is about the world water perspective. It's a documentary made up of 16 or so different issues and perspectives from around the world. There's no central narrator. Each segment is made up of interviews. The segments take place in four main countries: South Africa, Bolivia, the US, and India. The segments first cover many different water related topics including contaminated water (like the 20 million people in 25 states in the US who drink water contaminated with rocket fuel), the bottled water industry, the privatization of water, and the effect of damns. It of course gets political and talks about companies involved and the World Bank's influence on the issue. The documentary also shows various grassroots efforts around the world where people have taken on these issues and the adversity they have faced in doing so.

One of the central themes of the documentary is can anyone ever really own water? Historically, water as a transient resource has been the property of no one and everyone at the same time. No one has any more right to streams, rivers, and lakes then anyone else. One particular segment about the bottled water industry in Michigan horrified me. Basically, Nestle came in, set up a bottled water factory and started pumping millions of gallons of water a day out of the local aquifers. At absolutely no cost to them, with a ten year tax abatement, and a 99 year land lease for something like $160,000. They continued to pump at this rate despite a draught and effectively dried up local streams and wells. And they sold the product in the very community they were pumping in. The community saw no benefit from Nestle being there with the exception, I suppose, of the jobs created. Even worse perhaps is a story from India where contracts were signed to privatize stipulating that existing wells and water pumps built by the community had to either privatize (so they could charge people to use them) or be shut down. We're talking about common pumps that provide water to whole villages of the poorest of the poor. Does anyone else feel a little outraged by this?

Perhaps the most shocking news to me is that water is the world's third largest industry. Behind only electricity and oil. If you think water is unimportant, think again. In a way, water is the great equalizer. Every single one of us needs it. In the US, scarcity may not be our largest issue, but there are plenty of other big scary ones out there (like herbicides that cause male frogs to grow ovaries and are banned in Europe, including the country they're manufactured in). If you want more info, check out the Flow website. And please go watch this documentary!

Exploring Old City

This week, one of my best friends from college, Sharyn is visiting me. So far, we've had a blast exploring my neighborhood. As the weather has gotten nicer, I've found myself getting out more often and exploring all of the great things Old City has to offer. So in honor of the wonderful neighborhood I've come to love, I've decided to post my top ten favorite spots in Old City. In no particular order because that would involve WAY too much thought.

The Book Trader- This is possibly the most awesome used book shop ever. It has long been a Philly favorite for me. I recently discovered that the wonderful store down the street from me was previously located on South Street, where it was probably one of my favorite stores to visit in the city. I just rediscovered a classic. The Book Trader is filled to overwhelming with books making it both thrilling and frightening at times. Check it out for yourself in Lauren Graham's upcoming movie, The Dream of the Romans.

Franklin Fountain- This ice cream shop is my new favorite place to take friends and visitors. It's decked out like a classic soda fountain, right down to the working old style phone and cash register. Best of all, the ice cream is delicious and unique (yay for green tea!). They also have all the old classics like malts, egg creams, and phosphates. And they're open till midnight on the weekends. Everything the discerning urban ice cream eater could ever want.

Christ Church- Founded in 1695, this church is well...old. The current building was begun in 1744. I can see the steeple, which made Christ Church the tallest building in America for something like 60 years, from the windows in my apartment. Christ Church is like living history. See the pews of Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross, George Washington, or one of countless other historical figures who attended here. Touch the almost 600 year old baptismal font where William Penn was baptized which is still in use today. Or just attend a Sunday service to take in the beauty of the colonial architecture while listening to the majestic sounds of the organ and congregational singing. Every time I see this building, it makes my heart feel light.

Kabul Restaurant- Now that I've tried Afghan cuisine, I can't get enough! With an extensive menu, quiet dining room, and decent service, Kabul keeps me coming back for more. So far, I've eaten here 4 times and everything I've tried has been amazing. If you haven't tried Afghan food, go out and find some today!

Old City Cheese Shop- After walking by this place at least a 100 times, I finally stopped in today for lunch. To my utter delight, we entered down a strange indoor hallway only to arrive in the most lovely little courtyard in Old City. It's located behind the shop with its own street entrance so you have to keep your eyes out for it. But if you do, a treasure awaits you. The patio is completely shaded by a beautiful, tall tree. The courtyard is further enhanced by a softly trickling fountain and some potted plants. If that wasn't enough to convince, the food was fabulous. And they have something like 70 varieties of cheese for your post-lunch shopping pleasure. They also do brunch on the weekends, an all-you-can-eat pasta night, and late night movies in the courtyard.

The Ritz Theaters- Listing this as one is kind of cheating because there are actually 3 Ritz Theaters within 3 blocks of my apartment. But they are generally the same idea. Small theaters show indie and art films for significantly less then the nearby megaplex. Can't beat it. Another thing I've been meaning to do forever and finally did today. We saw In Brogues, which I highly recommend anyway. I think I'll definitely be making more frequent visits.

Scarlett Alley- Despite its pushy sales people, this quirky little shop is a must see. It's full of interesting home goods, accessories, kids stuff, clothing, jewelery, and toiletry items. I would be thrilled to own everything and anything from the store. My all time favorite items in the store are the Bamboo Dreams collection. You've got to feel it to believe it.

Tartes- A pink concrete box never held such delectable goodness. This bakery is probably one of the smallest structures in Old City but somehow still manages to whip out pastries that could make your knees quiver. Just step up to the window, reminiscent of an ice cream stand at the shore, and place your order. In no time, your mouth will be watering. There is no inside and no seating outside which is disappointing, but since it's only half a block away, I don't have far to go before I can dig into my dessert.

F.U.E.L. Collection- This gallery is the easiest place to find a hipster in the city of Philadelphia. It's my favorite gallery to visit during First Friday, the monthly Old City art gallery hop. Located in the historic Corn Exchange Bank building, which was also the site of the Philadelphia Real World house, this gallery is expansive. It hosts some of the hippest, cutting edge art produced by undergraduate students and is a mecca for cool people, hanging out and well...looking cool. It's a great place to soak up some awesome.

Lucy's Hat Shop- Despite many other options, Lucy's is probably my favorite place in Old City to grab a drink. Unassuming, unpretentious, and cheap. You can wear what you want and you'll fit in. With amazing always on special drinks and snacks, you really can't go wrong at Lucy's plus, it's huge so you can usually find a table or an uncrowded corner to stand in. And at only a block away, there's no need to worry about a designated driver.

So there you have it! My ultimate list of places to eat, drink, shop, and visit in Old City. I could easily do a top 20 list, but these are the places I find myself going back to and wanting to show to others. So visit one, visit all and fall in love with my wonderful neighborhood, Old City Philadelphia.

Long Overdue

I want to share with you a recent discovery (thanks Kim!) that I think some of you might enjoy. It's a great little (mostly) free Internet service called Daily Lit. Daily Lit is just that. Literature delivered to your e-mail inbox daily (or 5 days a week, or M-W-F, whatever you choose). At first I thought this was kind of odd. Why not just actually get the book? Well, most of the books on Daily Lit are free. It's true, they're generally older or classics. The new books cost a small fee ($3-$5 I think). This can be a good thing though. They probably have some books you never would read otherwise but are great for making yourself look more intelligent. Example. "So yesterday, while I was reading the Communist Manifesto..." Another perk is that it sends them in small, easily readable chunks. You don't have to look for a good place to stop if you only have 10 or 15 minutes to read. Daily Lit does it for you. And if you have more then 10 or 15 minutes, just click a link at the bottom of the e-mail to receive the next installment immediately. Or, if you prefer not to clutter up your inbox with one extra email a day, you can subscribe by RSS.

My favorite thing about Daily Lit, however, is the fact that I can read the installments at work. One of the few things that is not blocked on our computers is Gmail. This means I can always read my Daily Lit. And, even though the Daily Lit site is blocked, when I click to receive the next installment, it successfully sends (and gives me a, very reminiscent of Asbury College, Websense page. Oh the nostalgia. I haven't been Websensed in years.) Why not just bring a book you say? Well bringing a book says, "I'm here to not work tonight." To me it also says, "Another thing to leave at work and loose forever." Checking your e-mail, on the other hand, says, "I'm taking a small break to conduct some possibly important business through my e-mail account." Heck, one of my co-workers thought I was doing research. And therein lies the true beauty of Daily Lit. Subverting the system on multiple levels. Oh you rebel, you!

The Big Give: A Show I'd Love to Hate

I decided on a whim to record Oprah's new show, The Big Give. I watched the first episode and am just now watching the second. In some ways, I love this show. In other ways, I hate it. If I could compare it to something, it would be Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The stories are heart-warming and I cried for full fifteen minutes during the first episode. The show, however, encourages hoopla and showiness about the giving. In fact, the motto of the show is "give big or go home" and contestants on these two episodes have been rated on the "presentation" of their gift.

Some things I like about the show:
1) The show highlights the pure joy in giving. The contestants range in age and background and all of them have no idea there is any reward in it. These people are putting their lives on hold and run around the country, stress out, and give away money. The contestants are so honest about their feelings and their emotions.

2) You can really see how each of the contestants backgrounds and and experiences influence the way they give. Each one has a unique heart for different issues and the second episode does a really good job of highlighting them. It also shows just how easy it is to find a worthy cause to help and support.

3) It shows the diversity of need in our country from the single mom next door to orphaned children. You never know the situations people are living with. So many of these people could be any of our neighbors.

Some things I don't like about the show:
1) It offends my sensibilities to make a reality show/game out of helping others. It's a little showy for me and feels a bit like capitalizing on other's misfortunes. It feels a bit like gawking into people's very private lives and it makes me wonder if they would be willing to share these things on national television if they weren't getting the help they needed out of it. Do I loose my house or admit my vast personal problems to the country?

2) Real people could never give in the way the contestants do. They're given money, cars, laptops, and I'm pretty sure corporate connections. Not to mention the backing of "I'm on Oprah's new TV show, The Big Give." Whose going to say no to that and being featured on national television?

3) While the show does show some worthy charities and organizations, I'd much rather see a show about real people making difference in their communities. Oprah could easily have dumped all this money and corporate sponsorship into already existing organizations and highlighted how great it feels when real people give in ways great and small. Instead of contestants swooping in and dumping in thousands of dollars into who knows what charities and people, we could be supporting great community based grass-roots efforts that are sure to be transformed by a comparatively small investment.

While it has its share of negatives, I think one woman's reaction said it all, "Somebody actually thought that I mattered enough to help me out." That, my friends, is priceless.

If you're interested in watching, the third episode airs on ABC on Sunday at 9pm.

Demoralized by Facebook

I got an e-mail in my inbox tonight from an application on Facebook, iRead. Basically you can enter all the books you have read, are reading, want to read, or would never read and rate and review them. I love to read and I find the application very fun and it has some cool features. For example, if their is a book you want to read, it will tell if any of your friends own that book so that you can borrow it from them. It's an amusing diversion.

So anyway, I get this e-mail from the application. The subject line is "Are you still reading Vanity Fair?" Yes. Yes in fact I am. Dude, it's like 1,000 pages or something. Don't be so darn accusatory, iRead! I'm getting there. I work 40 hours a week! I have a life! Don't question my commitment here, people. Sheesh.

The Latest and Greatest

I've actually gotten to do a fair amount of reading recently and I wanted to give you a quick rundown on what I've been reading, what's on my to read list, and why.

1. The C.S. Lewis Signature Collection-
It's kind of lousy of me to take the high road on the very first one, but I will. This isn't one book but a collection of 6 of C.S. Lewis' best works. Yes, that's the same guy who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia. He also happens to be a great Christian apologetic. I have to say that C.S. Lewis is one of the most intelligent, witty, easy to understand writers I have ever read. Everything he writes just makes me say, "Oh! So that's what that means!" The man is truly brilliant. He answered questions of faith that I didn't even realize I was asking. Best of all, he does it in a way that is simultaneously ingenious and simple. If you've ever had a question of faith, C.S. Lewis is your go-to man. He wasn't one of those people who believed his whole life. He really struggled with his faith and I think we can all find common ground in that. My two personal favorites from the collection are Mere Christianity and The Problem of Pain. I still have one left, A Grief Observed, but I heard it from good authority that it's quite good as well.

2. Living History by Hillary Clinton-
I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. It started off a little slow, but quickly became truly fascinating. Hearing everything that went on during Bill Clinton's presidency from Hillary's perspective was insightful and eye-opening. Her passion for women and children's issues really took the forefront. I didn't realize all of the work that Hillary had done on behalf of women and children in this country and abroad. The more I read, the more I resonated with what she had to say. I finished this book with a profound appreciation for Hillary Clinton and the work that she has done and the beliefs that she has worked so hard to champion. Whatever people may say about her, her passion for and knowledge of marginalized people is to be respected.

3. Pathologies of Power by Dr. Paul Farmer-
I know I've talked about this book a few times on this blog, but I have to say I can't get enough of it. There is so much more to some political conflicts then we can ever know. Paul Farmer isn't afraid to tell the truth, whatever it may. No one is safe, liberal or conservative, if they are not on the side of the poor. Farmer carefully defines structural violence and gives tangible, real life examples of how that concept is lived out across the world. Intelligent man, intelligent ideas.

4. Freakonomics by Stephen D. Levitt-
This book answers all those questions you probably never even thought to ask, and maybe some you did. Does reading to your kids matter? They say no. I'm not entirely sure about their research methods (research can be easily manipulated after all and it all depends on how you define your variables). Overwhelming, the book had a definite wow factor. Swimming pools are more likely to kill kids then guns. And abortion is responsible for the drop in the crime rate. Curious? You should defiantly read it.

5. Giving by Bill Clinton-
I just purchased this book from Barnes and Noble over the weekend and I am so excited about reading it. I can't say I've ever really ran out and bought a new book, but this one I did. I really respect Bill Clinton and he talks about Paul Farmer. Too much for me to handle. The book is all about grassroots organizations and individuals who have made a positive difference in the world. I can't think of anything better to read then that. As soon as I'm done, I'll be sure to post a review. In the meantime, enjoy these reviews on Amazon.com.

So there you have it. Four books I read, one I didn't and really want to. Any other recommendations?

Without Prejudice?

I just finished watching what could be my new favorite TV show. It's called Without Prejudice? and it airs on the Game Show Network. Each show there is a 5 member panel and 5 contestants. The five member panel has to decide which of the contestants to award $25,000 to. The first vote-out is based on appearances only and then more information is gradually revealed until two are left at which point the panelists get to interview the contestants.

In the show that I watched there was an older white matchmaker, a middle-aged white guy in a wheel chair, a middle-aged white guy who was a gay pastor, a middle-aged white woman who was a Mormon polygamist, and a black college student. It was so interesting to see how the panelists felt about the contestants initially and how their opinions changed as more information was revealed. The panel is very opinionated and the questions asked of the contestants are of a potentially inflammatory nature. Are you religious? How much money do you make? What do you think about gay marriage, prostitution, and the legalization of marijuana? It was amazing to see what actually mattered to the panelists at the beginning that suddenly didn't matter anymore.

I can't really describe to you just how fascinating it was, but you really should watch it. It's a psychology student's dream. You can watch past episodes online or catch the new episodes on GSN on Tuesdays at 9pm. I recommend watching it with a friend. It might spark some lively discussions of your own.

Bottled Water Revisited

I never thought I'd get so wrapped up in something so silly as bottled water. But I'm coming to realize that maybe it's not so silly after all. Apartment Therapy has mentioned bottled water twice recently. I followed the link back to fastcompany.com's article, Message in a Bottle. For some reason, it made me rather emotional. I urge you to read it. Here are some excerpts I found especially interesting.

"Thirty years ago, bottled water barely existed as a business in the United States. Last year, we spent more on Poland Spring, Fiji Water, Evian, Aquafina, and Dasani than we spent on iPods or movie tickets--$15 billion. It will be $16 billion this year. Bottled water is the food phenomenon of our times. We--a generation raised on tap water and water fountains--drink a billion bottles of water a week, and we're raising a generation that views tap water with disdain and water fountains with suspicion. We've come to pay good money--two or three or four times the cost of gasoline--for a product we have always gotten, and can still get, for free, from taps in our homes."

"Bottled water is often simply an indulgence, and despite the stories we tell ourselves, it is not a benign indulgence. . . Meanwhile, one out of six people in the world has no dependable, safe drinking water. The global economy has contrived to deny the most fundamental element of life to 1 billion people, while delivering to us an array of water "varieties" from around the globe, not one of which we actually need. That tension is only complicated by the fact that if we suddenly decided not to purchase the lake of Poland Spring water in Hollis, Maine, none of that water would find its way to people who really are thirsty."

"In San Francisco, the municipal water comes from inside Yosemite National Park. It's so good the EPA doesn't require San Francisco to filter it. If you bought and drank a bottle of Evian, you could refill that bottle once a day for 10 years, 5 months, and 21 days with San Francisco tap water before that water would cost $1.35. Put another way, if the water we use at home cost what even cheap bottled water costs, our monthly water bills would run $9,000."

"Where the drinking water is safe, bottled water is simply a superfluous luxury that we should do without. . . We're completely thoughtless about handing out $1 for this bottle of water, when there are virtually identical alternatives for free. It's a level of affluence that we just take for granted. What could you do? Put that dollar in a jar on the counter instead, carry a water bottle, and at the end of the month, send all the money to Oxfam or CARE and help someone who has real needs. And you're no worse off."

"Bottled water is not a sin. But it is a choice. . .Once you understand the resources mustered to deliver the bottle of water, it's reasonable to ask as you reach for the next bottle, not just 'Does the value to me equal the 99 cents I'm about to spend?' but 'Does the value equal the impact I'm about to leave behind?' Simply asking the question takes the carelessness out of the transaction. And once you understand where the water comes from, and how it got here, it's hard to look at that bottle in the same way again."

Feeling inspired? You really, really should read the full article. And check out Sigg for great, reusable bottles that are super fun and eco-friendly. We've been using Sigg bottles for about 6 years and we still have the same original four. I highly recommend them!

Squeaky clean and minty fresh

For lack of a better way to fill the void left in my life by a canceled pathophysiology class, I thought I'd take this opportunity to tell you about my soap. I'm not talking about just any old soap here. No no no. You won't find this stuff in CVS. This is 100% organic, fair trade, and environmentally friendly. I ADORE this soap. I've never been much of a product loyalist before but let me tell you, sister, I have seen the light! Did you know that your soap has crazy petroleum derivatives in it? Ew. I know what you're thinking. You must give me the name of this wonderful product. Well....I will! It's Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap. And the stuff is amazing. The company calls it 18-1 soap. But there are tons of ways to use it. So far, I've used it on my body, in my hair, and on my teeth. I can't say I recommend it on the teeth unless you're in a pinch. That was a weird experience. And it was a pretty ok shampooing experience. Other uses I have not tried but would like to include: laundry detergent, dish soap, produce cleanser, and general household cleaner. I will also definently be taking it on my next camping trip because...it's one soap that does everything you could possibly need and yet is environmentally friendly. It helps to fulfill my deepest fantasy of becoming a hippy. Anyway here's the website. I bought my soap from drugstore.com where it's just a smidge bit cheaper. But you can buy it on Bronner's website by the GALLON. I don't know about you, but gallon definitely says good to me.