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Libertad's Journal

libertad
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07/03/2006 14:28 #25773

Ojos de Cuba
I want to go back to Cuba and as impossible as it was to go the first time, it seems even more so now. Today I watched my DVD show of a compilation of the many photos I shot while there. I served as a voyeur capturing intimate moments as they passed through the streets. They are such amazing people and although they lack so much in material goods I'm jealous of them. Don't get me wrong, they have to deal with things that we could never imagine, but they know culture, they know life, they know happiness.

I'm scared for them as we are in a new hurricane season and as sea levels are projected to rise they literally live on the edge of disaster If a level 3 hurricanee passed over Habana the damage would be immense. Heavy rains themselves cause buildings (with people in them) to crumble. While I was there Hurricane Rita (I think it was her, there were so many i'm not sure) caused the sea to penetrate the city and my friends were trapped in the university dormitory sky rise. They are one of the best nations in the world as far as hurricane preparedness goes, but the infrastructure can't handle it. Their future remains even more bleak as the political situation grows even more uncertain. One thing they have going for them in they know how to survive. On a daily basis they face food shortages and rolling blackouts. We on the other hand can not function without the things like electricity that we rarely go without.

As being able to return doesn't seem all that plausible, I would like to have a photo book published that would show the Cubans through my eyes. My photos really are my eyes, and I think that its important that our country sees the people which are often forgotten in political vendettas and in politicians too proud and too arrogant to see that our policies towards Cuba not only do not work, but have only given Castro more power. If anyone has any experience with publishing companies or know of anyone who does, please let me know. If it doesn't work out that's fine, I would rather have an exhibit where I didn't make any money than not share them at all. It's just that going to Cuba was costly and I'll be paying for it for maybe the rest of my life, and if I could get some money to lessen that debt, or to further my education then I wouldn't feel as if I were exploiting them just for the sake of making money.
krayner03 - 07/03/06 21:37
Your journal struck me today. I am in the middle of a bit of an internal struggle with US foreign policy myself these days. It amazes me how our government manipulates the people of foreign lands under the umbrella of patriotism, justice and world peace. I am very interested in discussing in detail and learning more about foreign policy. I think I might want to get involved on some level to work on making positive changes to the rhetoric of our government. I think your photo journal is a great way to start helping people to see the human side of foreign policy.

07/01/2006 03:00 #25772

Once upon a time there were no comments
I just deleted my last journal. (It was only up for like two minutes) It was Paul's survey, which is over due. If you want me to do it again Paul let me know, I would be glad to be of help to your project if you still need it. The reason I deleted it was because I said that I was going to not allow people to comment in my journal because we all have that option in our preferences. After I wrote it and turned it off, I realized it takes away all the comments from past journals as well, so I changed it back. I'm not willing to turn off the comments already written. So go ahead with comments....I usually like them. Just wanted to see what it was like for you o'l time estrippers.
metalpeter - 07/01/06 15:30
Before the coments where used inlinks where used a lot. For example if say (e:Beast) said something about how she wanted to have 5 butty calls she could calls. Then I could referance what she said then put the link in my journal. You can still do that. If you have time go back and check out some of Paul's, Beast's, Soyeon's or someone else who has been here a long time posts it might be interesting.
kookcity2000 - 07/01/06 10:56
dude I like commenets too

06/26/2006 23:49 #25771

Arachnophobia
Yawn. I'm tired, but want to recap my experiences over the last ten days. I haven't even read hardly but two or three journals since working at the beach house. It is so interesting working there. So much history. Today I found the architect plans for an addition to the Baird estate. This guy was the architect responsible for the peace bridge. It is believed that ol man Baird went crazy and hid some cash somewhere in the house. I pressed the owner to preserve them. It must be the historian in me.

Today I consolidated my student loans before the interest rate rises two percentage points at the end of June. I think its about time to say that there is something wrong with our system right now. Like we go to school, work real hard and in the end? Nothing but student loans. I knew what I was doing though, that my degree isn't worth crap, but I did it because I wanted to learn more.

These student loan companies are so screwed up. I have this huge stack of mail from them begging me to consolidate. How many trees were hacked away so they could make all those mailers? I never got any mailings last year when the rates were at their lowest. I'm skeptical, like why do they want us all to consolidate now? Do they know something that we don't, 0r I don't?

One last thing. I do not like to be around spiders and they are everywhere near the water. I have seen about every imaginable type spider, including the very scary black and white hairy ones that look like black widows. Big asss spiders lurk everywhere and alas; I have a nasty spider bite on my side that won't stop itching or being red! Here is the horror. I have been sucking them up in the vacuum cleaner. Since I believe in karma and all that I'm kinda thinking I deserve to be bitten.


mike - 06/27/06 18:33
eww spiders
ladycroft - 06/27/06 12:58
you're not a 'bad' buddhist. far, far cry.
libertad - 06/27/06 10:59
This is a super vac that can suck up nuts and bolts...not sure that the spiders survive the force.

Aparently I am a "bad" buddhist, but really i'm trying to do my job and there are so many spiders that I can't kindly release everyone of them. It sucks (literally), but its better than using chemicals and people that spend thousands of dollars on a vacation don't want spiders dangling over their beds or in their toilets.
mrmike - 06/27/06 08:50
I believe in Karma too, but I do think Karma also has a sense of humor. The bite was one thing, but just be careful round the vacumn cleaner -- just sayin'
mrdt - 06/27/06 02:28
oh yeah, it's bad luck to kill spiders in the house. a good buddhist would leave it alone or capture it and set it free.
mrdt - 06/27/06 02:26
new laws go into effect starting July 1st that have alot to do with the interest rates on your student loans. if you haven't consolidated yet I would do so by Friday.

06/13/2006 23:38 #25769

I won!
Congratulations -

Your name has been selected from a random drawing of entrants to receive a pass for two people to the preview screening of AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH at the Dipson Amherst Theater, 3500 Main St. The screening will take place at 7:00 pm on Thursday, June 15.

You may pick up your pass at Mondo Video, 1109 Elmwood Ave, any time before the screening. You will be asked for identification. Please note that you may NOT give your ID to someone else to pick up your pass for you.

Mondo Video is open daily from noon to 10 pm.

zobar - 06/14/06 08:32
[psst - our movie ticket raffles are like the special olympics: everybody wins.]

- Z
libertad - 06/13/06 23:51
I really don't win things a lot, so I'm so excited. Thanks zobar!!!
mike - 06/13/06 23:44
Congratulations!

06/14/2006 02:20 #25770

Tofu peanut stir-fry
I made my first veggie meal and my kitchen is a complete disaster now. It was pretty good actually and it makes me think of other possibilities.

Eating meat makes you feel full so much faster. I think it takes longer for non meat dishes to register that I have actually eaten enough. When I started this post I was hungry, but now I'm kinda full.

Here it is without a pic, cause it didn't look fabulous. It also didn't look all that bad.

oil
1lb stir fry veggies
1/2 teaspoon fresh giner minced
salt and pepper to taste
2 eggs beaten
1 cup cornstarch
1 package 16oz of tofu (plain) drained and cubed
1/2 cup oil
3/4 cup peanut sauce
1/4 cup chopped peanuts

cook veggies in skillet w/ a little oil until tender.

mix with giner and salt and pepper...set aside mixture for later

Dip the cube tofu in the beaten eggs. Then dip it in the cornstarch mixed w/ some salt and pepper

Heat 1/2 cup oil and brown the tofu. Like five minutes cause you don't have to cook the shit out of it. Stir in peanut sauce and peanuts. Toss w/ veggies and your ready. Can be served w/ rice or alone.

Time to clean up the kitchen. Overall recipe:

taste good
cheap eat
10 minute

I haven't eaten any animals since the devil came into my life


joshua - 07/01/06 21:16
The beautiful thing about tofu is that its similar to chicken in that you can make it taste like anything.

My favorite tofu dish is gyoza, which I'm happy to say that Kibarashi is serving. :)

Oh, by the way - Kibarashi has a vegetarian section, which shouldn't be a surprise but I've been to many sushi places that do not have vegetarian sushi... I'm still amazed by that oversight.
mike - 06/14/06 23:33
Congratulations on your first veggie meal! If you are as good at cooking veggie meals as you are meat, i'm sure you will always have tasty, satisfying meals!
leetee - 06/14/06 18:02
Sounds very good! I've never done my tofu with cornstarch. I've either baked it or fried it, or for softer, i've just stir fried it with the veggies.

To vary the recipe, i have a few suggestions.

Dried red pepper flakes or a fresh chili pepper if you like a little spice... seeds out for milder, with seeds if you like more spice.

Without eggs, a bit of curry powder or curry sauce and coconut milk near the end, just heated through, can make for a nice thai curry type of taste. With peanuts and a dash of lime juice, it has a panag (sp??) curry taste.

Sesame seeds are also super yum in a stir fry. Some soy sauce, garlic, ginger, honey, sesame oil and sesame seeds are really good, too.

Ok, i better stop now. I don't use recipes with a stir fry, so i am always varying my methods based on what we have in the fridge!

Happy Veggie cooking!
boxerboi - 06/14/06 17:14
im so lazy i think making a smoothie is a lot of work. good job!
mrdt - 06/14/06 14:01
The dish is seasoned well, although, you should always preheat your skillet hot to cook stir-fry. Also you could probably add your beaten egg right at the end after tossing in your veggies so you don't have to waste it.

Toss in thai noodles for Pad Thai.

I like the cornstarch on the tofu, that must give it a nice crust and add another element to the bland tofu.

ladycroft - 06/14/06 12:22
i think it's just a trick of the mind. i'm so full when i eat i usually don't finish my meal.
mrmike - 06/14/06 10:50
Sounds tasty -- I'm still trying to convince myself that pizza with a wheat crust was a healthy notion.
chicoschica - 06/14/06 10:29
Well! Sounds delicioso!

I actually cooked up something yummy this weekend with tempeh and fresh veggies - kind of like a ratatouille, but no eggplant. It's really good. I can send you the recipe if you want! (Aside from a bunch of cutting veggies, it's pretty easy)

I tend to agree that sometimes it takes a little longer for veg food to fill you up - not sure if it's the fat content or the different type of protein, but usually i'll snack on some nuts or cheese/crackers or something because i'm so hungry before i eat dinner. =)