Silence kills



My name is Ben I am a 69 year old white American man. I can do, say, and be all of these things without fear (as can my family). I stand with my black brothers and sisters. I will not be killed. I can go jogging (#AmaudArbery). I can relax in the comfort of my own home (#BothemSean and #AtatianaJefferson). I can ask for help after being in a car crash (#JonathanFerrell and #RenishaMcBride). I can have a cellphone (#StephonClark). I can leave a party to get to safety (#JordanEdwards). I can play loud music (#JordanDavis). I can sell CD's (#AltonSterling). I can sleep (#AiyanaJones) I can walk from the corner store (#MikeBrown). I can play cops and robbers (#TamirRice). I can go to church (#Charleston9). I can walk home with Skittles (#TrayvonMartin). I can hold a hair brush while leaving my own bachelor party (#SeanBell). I can party on New Years (#OscarGrant). I can get a normal traffic ticket (#SandraBland). I can lawfully carry a weapon (#PhilandoCastile). I can break down on a public road with car problems (#CoreyJones). I can shop at Walmart (#JohnCrawford) . I can have a disabled vehicle (#TerrenceCrutcher). I can read a book in my own car (#KeithScott). I can be a 10yr old walking with our grandfather (#CliffordGlover). I can decorate for a party (#ClaudeReese). I can ask a cop a question (#RandyEvans). I can cash a check in peace (#YvonneSmallwood). I can take out my wallet (#AmadouDiallo). I can run (#WalterScott). I can breathe (#EricGarner). I can live (#FreddieGray). This is reality. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH Change the first two lines to your name and your identity and share with as many people as you can.    Silence kills. Ben Cohen (co-founder of Ben & Jerry's)

A funny thing happened....

Growing up, we ate almost everything.  I've tried many different foods in my life, and didn't mind being a little adventurous.  I took the Andrew Zimmern (Bizarre Foods) idea "if it looks good, eat it."

Sometimes that worked out, and sometimes not.  But I enjoyed the thrill of being a little exotic.

Flash forward to maybe 10 years ago.  A couple of not-so-great experiences, and I am eating less of the interesting things I tried before.  Maybe it was me getting older, I don't know.

Then, about 5 years ago, I was at a family July 4th gathering and ate a lot of beef.  It was really good and I ate way too much....and I got some illness and wound up hurling for a couple of days - and all I could taste was beef. 

After that, I didn't want beef anymore.  I missed the mouth feel of a hamburger.  There's something about a grilled burger that always appealed to me, and I missed that .I found a couple of substitutes for burgers, and was happy with them. In particular, Beyond Meat makes an awesome burger that has an appealing mouth feel.

In the last year or so, I discovered that I didn't like chicken as much either. When its a fresh piece that's done nicely, then okay.  But in general, I could take it or leave it.

Anyway, in March, like many people around the world, we quarantined, and ate what we had on hand, or could get in a weekly trip to the store.  In our house, my wife is mostly vegetarian but will eat fish (pescatarian is the right word I think), one son is totally vegetarian, one son will eat some chicken and some fish but otherwise doesn't eat meat, and our daughter will eat anything, but is happy to be pescatarian most of the time.

It was easier to just make a switch and be mostly vegetarian, with some fish mixed in.  Suits pretty much everyone, and was efficient as meat supplies were in short supply for a while.

With my house the way it was, we were mostly cooking that way anyway.  I would eat some pork, turkey, or lamb when I was out, but at home I stuck to these things.

There are some terrific and amazing vegetarian dishes.  Its all about textures and spices.  You can do a lot, so I don't miss meat at all.  And now its been almost 14 weeks.  I can honestly say that I am not sure what I'm going to do when I do head back out and have an opportunity to eat other things.  Would I want an Italian sub?  Do I want smoked pork butt?  How about lamb shwarma?  I can't answer those questions yet...

As for how the vegetarian diet is treating me, there was an article that suggested these 7 points as part of vegetarian diets - lets see how I'm doing.

1. You'll feel happier.

This one is hard to judge with all that's happening in the world. But Ican say that my mood is generally better, and I'm less prone to staying upset/annoyed.  The meditation/relaxation techniques surely help here too.

2. You'll have more energy.

In general, I see this.  But given that we're mostly couped up and the world is on fire, its still easy to feel down and just run down and tired. But when I do get up and do things, I don't tire as quickly.

3. You'll protect your ticker.

I was generally particular about what I ate anyway, but I see that this is likely true because of the kinds of fats and nutrient intake.

4. Your digestion will improve

This is true.  I am feeling better about my "regularity" and almost never experience any issues that I sometimes had while eating meats

5. You'll feel fuller longer.

I don't feel hungry between meals, which is interesting. Not to say I couldn't eat, I just don't generally feel hungry.

6. Inflammation in your body will decrease.

I find that I don't have some of the aches and pains that I had before. Once in a while I had a back spasm, now they come and are gone quickly. When it comes to exercise, if I have some issue (like a sore muscle), that's gone quickly.

7. Your mood and mental cognition may be enhanced.

This one doesn't seem to be the case.  I could imagine it *could be* true, but with the world in this state, I feel sort of "deflated" and not engaged.  Its a malaise that I can't seem to get past for now.

Read More: 7 Ways You'll Feel Better After Going Plant-Based | https://thebeet.com/7-ways-youll-feel-better-after-going-plant-based-from-energy-to-mood/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

Vote Out Hate

Compare and contrast.

I know, I know...even though he's an unelected, impeached, criminal "president" he is being kept safe, but ultimately he can say no and speak to the people.

So on the one hand you have what a tyrant, who is weak and scared, does. 

And in the other you have what a leader does. 

Suck it. 

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/31/trump-flees-to-bunker-as-protests-over-george-floyd-rage-outside-white-house

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8375397/Joe-Biden-visits-site-police-brutality-protest-Delaware-calls-end-riots.html

Short. Sweet. To the point. That's the beauty Dave's iPhone. 

Flag of Treason

News regarding your Disney vacation

This was in my inbox and is apropos to my last post. 

Everything will be timed admission and specific attractions on a reservation.

I'm thinking FastPass+ will also be eliminated/amended in favor of this new reservation system. 

Information on our new Theme Park reservation system. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

VIEW in your browser ‌ An Important Walt Disney World Update As we plan for the reopening of our Disney Resort Hotels and Theme Parks, we are keeping the wellbeing of our Guests and Cast in mind. And we're here to help you as we introduce new procedures focused on delivering an enjoyable and magical experience for everyone who visits. ‌ To manage attendance and foster physical distancing during this unprecedented time, we will be changing and suspending some Park experiences. In addition, we will also be introducing a new Theme Park reservation system. Unfortunately, these new measures have required us to cancel any FastPass+ selections you may have made. We recognize the inconvenience this poses and we're deeply sorry. ‌ However, because you have valid Theme Park admission, you will have access to the Theme Park reservation system before new tickets are sold to other Guests. There's nothing you need to do at this time. We'll be contacting you soon with details on this new system. ‌ At this time, while systems update, we are temporarily suspending all modifications. However, you have the option of canceling your entire reservation. ‌ We're putting great thought into helping you return to the magic and appreciate your patience. ‌ For more information, please visit disneyworld.com, call 407-W-DISNEY (934-7639), or contact your travel professional or Member Services. ‌ ‌ ©Disney

Disney’s subtle clarification

While the initial report said that they wanted to open select hotels and resorts to guests on July 11th, they amended that and said resorts would not be open. They'll open them "at a later date"

But DVC will still be open, beginning on June 22nd.

The change suggests that they will be catering almost exclusively to dvc guests in the near term. As I mentioned in my previous post, Disney is contractually bound to these timeshare owners. There are certain rights and responsibilities that both Disney and the "fractional owner" has, and Disney has to provide the rooms.

Now owners can start using their points, and it avoids Disney having to amend terms of the agreement, or carryover points for most guests (points expire and there is a financial burden to Disney in extending them). And it stops owners from potentially suing for breach of contract.

This is fairly savvy of Disney. And of course, they can put these guests in deluxe rooms at other resorts at some exchange rate if there is a large number of people taking advantage of the opportunity for a vacation.

With that being the case, I would guess that will mean at least a few reservations will be available to annual pass holders. Disney extended passholder expiration dates by 117 days, so it makes sense to let people use them. But without hotels, only locals can take advantage of this for now. I'm sure they figured out the number of guests that could mean based on historical data, and they will use that to their advantage in determining capacity.