Full Moon Rising...

More (and Less) Than One Way to Skin a Cat

"The world is not as real as we think. My personal opinion is that the world is even weirder than what quantum physics tells us," Anton Zeilinger of the University of Vienna says in one of those "non-scientific" reflections on quantum theory that I love (such as this article in The New York Times).

One object that can travel in two opposite directions at the same time? Objects that exist in more than one place simultaneously? Making a change to something that is right in front of you also changes something across the galaxy?

All these things should be true according to quantum theory. Scientists now (actually, since the early 20th century) agree with mystics, shaman, and all manner of artists that there is much more to the universe than that which can be explained rationally.

According to quantum theory, reality is "represented by waves that extend throughout space, containing all the possible outcomes of an observation - here, there, up or down, dead or alive. The amplitude of this wave is a measure of the probability that the object will actually be found to be in one state or another."

Whoa.

Or, to put it another way, life all depends on how you look at it....


[You may have to register with The New York Times to read the article, but it's free and in theory relatively painless.]

Blog, blog, blog. Let's break out the egg nog!

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house....

Christmas Eve: We got our decorated palm tree, a minor creche scene, wrapping some presents, and the Seahawks game is on...have we caught the Christmas spirit or what? Now, Ms. Wendy has Cousin Geoffrey on the phone from South Korea (where's it's 9:50 a.m. on Christmas Day) and I'll try some of my family on the west coast. That's the west coast of North America, not Korea.

Annie Bones joins the blogosphere

Another amazing animal story! My mom and her partner Irene have a dog name Annie Bones who has started her own blog! I tell you, who doesn't have a blog these days? Click here to see the musings of the sweet creature and her life on the beautiful coast of Northern California! Ah, to be a dog again...

First they came for PETA, then they came for Greenpeace, then they came for the Catholic Workers....

The New York Times reports in an article that counterterrorism agents at the F.B.I. have conducted numerous surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations on groups such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), Greenpeace, and the Catholic Workers.

"It's clear that this administration has engaged every possible agency, from the Pentagon to N.S.A. to the F.B.I., to engage in spying on Americans," said Ann Beeson, associate legal director for the A.C.L.U. "

"You look at these documents," Ms. Beeson said, "and you think, wow, we have really returned to the days of J. Edgar Hoover, when you see in F.B.I. files that they're talking about a group like the Catholic Workers league as having a communist ideology."

Well, frankly, I know some Catholic Workers and they are indeed dangerous people. But perhaps not in the way that the F.B.I. thinks...

Since the founding of the movement by Dorothy Day (above, with Frenso police) and Peter Maurin in the 1930s, the Catholic Workers have persisted in offering a gospel alternative to mainstream society...Dangerous indeed, especially if you happen to be in power and invested in making sure everyone follows the same script. But "communists"? Learn more about the Catholic Worker here.

Ten were harpooned and one returned to give thanks.

I love amazing animal stories. Here's a great one by Tai Moses (full disclosure: Tai was once my roommate back in the day) about the whale who returned to give thanks. If a whale can show so much human-like gratitude when humans do something good, you can bet they aren't too happy when we chase, harpoon, and kill them. Just imagine.

A Christmas Scandal!

This is why I love Sojourners. While other Christians are arguing about same-sex marriage or for the "right" to say "Merry Christmas," Sojourners' folks are out in the streets advocating for the poor.

"The very soul of our nation is in peril if Congress passes a budget that essentially takes from the poor, and gives to the rich," said Sojourners' Manager of Circulation and Production Cynthia Martens (above, being arrested on Capitol Hill) . More than 100 people were arrested last week protesting budget cuts that would disproportionately affect the poor. See more at about this action at Sojourners website.

Liturgically Correct!

...this is the little dish I am really waiting for! [Ms. Wendy expectant!]

Squid-a-licious

Thai Squid Salad....hot, sour, and sweet. Filled with aromatics and a touch of green apple. One of my favourite dishes...

Welcome to Alma's Soulfood

Welcome to Alma's Soulfood, the virtual cafe where there's always enough to eat.