Looting or Scavenging for Survival?

I am bothered by recent news coverage of the Earthquake aftermath in Haiti. A headline reads Looting Flares when Authority Breaks Down. If you go to the article, you can see people unearthing food from the rubble of a once-supermarket.

If I were a hungry, thirsty, homeless and desperate earthquake survivor, I'd dig in the rubble of a supermarket and try to find some food for myself and my loved ones. Is this really looting or is this smart scavenging for survival? Why is the media making victims into villains?

Now, this might qualify as looting. I'd appreciate more distinction, subtlety and understanding in the news coverage of how Haitians are attempting to feed themselves while they wait for comprehensive disaster relief.

Rails to Trails in NYC

High Line Park is an unused elevated railroad trestle that has been converted to a park with a trail, plenty of benches, and vistas of the cityscape, and the waterfront.

Walking on the trestle yesterday, I was wishing Cleveland would move forward with its Rails to Trails plans. I received instant gratification!

An early Christmas Present

Here is a little gift from me to you to brighten up your holidays. I can't think of anything that eases stress and family dysfunction like Sammy Davis Jr. and Mama Cass singing an "I dig Rock-n-Roll Music" Medley. Enjoy!

Harriet's First Snow

Harriet found us about two months ago while I was raking leaves into compost piles. She was so playful, energetic and friendly that we just had to invite her into our household.

She is about 5 months old now and today she saw her first snow. She tried for a while to bite it and then moved on to playing with a string on the spigot.

Unsolicited Catalogues=Free Ornaments

I purchased a small spruce tree today that I plan to plant outside if it makes it until springtime. I don't really have any ornaments, but I found some inspiration online at Instructables and turned some junk mail and some scrap paper into ornaments.

Ravelry Re-birth

I updated my Ravelry page this morning. I've been severely neglecting it even though I was really jazzed when I was able to join last year. There was a waiting list to become a member and it was in its Beta form.

My latest work-in-progress Slanting Gretel Tee

It is a convenient way to track yarn, needles, projects, prices and scrap yarn. Looking at other peoples' finished projects is also inspiring although often a reality check. Hand knit sweaters always look slightly different on real people than models. Ravelry members share changes and re-sizing of patterns which reduces the learning curve for other people. You can also keep track of patterns and yarn you like, but don't have yet.

Ravelry also interfaces really nicely with Flickr.

Home Front Concert: RE-SCHEDULED!

The Antaeus Dance concert, Home Front has been rescheduled for February 2010. More details to follow. We are still plugging away at some great work and now have even more time to perfect the choreography and the production of the concert.

3 Weeks til Showtime

Countdown to Home Front: 3 weeks. I've got 4 bolero jackets to sew and 90 seconds of quartet to finish.

Quartet Part 3 from Jenita McGowan on Vimeo.