September 2007 Archives

We are now officially out of California and have arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Speaking of Cali., Remember, when I was in San Diego and I went to the Sweetwater High School. -I talked about it in the post 'San Diego to Portland Oregon in 2 minutes.'

The wonderful teacher from Sweetwater High School and Suhi Animal Care Club sent me a video that aired in every classroom and she said the response from the students was awesome.

So next time Ringling Bros. rolls through San Diego they will meet even more activists protesting them.
Considering that in San Diego we had 85+ activists out protesting their arrival, it will not be long before Ringling adds San Diego to the growing list of cities that do not want Ringling and the abuse they bring.

Here is the video Sweetwater High School and Suhi Animal Care sent me.

I am off now to go eat some great vegan food at Evergreen

First, I must introduce someone who has joined me on the road to help spread the word about Ringling. You know how they had to pay a $20,000 fine when a baby elephant died after being forced to perform repeatedly while sick. How a 2-year-old lion died of apparent heatstroke and two overheated tigers suffered injuries during transport in poorly ventilated boxcars. How Ringling trainers have been videotaped viciously gouging and hitting elephants with sharp metal bullhooks, etc. (read more at circuses.com)

His name is Loyd and you can say hello to him on his myspace page

Someone should tell him that he should not ride elephants

We are in Sacramento California now and things are going great - in terms of turning people away from the circus.

About a week ago, I walked into a restaurant and noticed this on a chalkboard inside the restaurant.

Yes, right across the street from the arena where Ringling was forcing animals to do tricks was a restaurant that sent the message that Ringling was not welcome!

Then yesterday, we pulled into a strip mall so Loyd could pick up some items for the tour and a woman who worked for Big 5 Sporting Goods came out and asked me if that was my van. After a short conversation with her, she asked if I had any information so she could put next to the check out register in her store. So of course, I gave her the info and took photos.

With all the activists coming to the protests at the arenas and all the people we talk to every time we pump gas, get food and while sitting at red lights - Ringling will be out of business in no time if they continue to abuse animals. Speaking of being out of business the attendance at each of the Ringling's performances seems like it must be way down. Guess people know that when you give money to Ringling you are paying for the abuse..

See you at the next protest!

One more thing before I run. PETA gave me a plaque for my years of time dedicated to the animals. Thank you PETA!

I heart cheap make-up and obviously heart companies who go out of their way to make awesome cosmetics that didn't harm anybunny. I also continue to scratch my head and boycott those who are still stuck in the dark ages blinding fuzzy bunnies--yes, it still happens--to test mascara and everything else that we already know how to make safe for ourselves.

Companies who should definitely know better continue to fund animal testing. You may have some of their products lurking in your bags and not even know. For example Cover Girl, L'oreal, Suave, Colgate, are just a few. You can get a complete listing here

It's so very disheartening to see products which are tested on animals made by Cover Girl and L'oreal next to amazing cruelty free companies like Revlon and Almay in the drugstore. I mean, if mega corps like Revlon can do it, what is L'oreal's excuse? I emplore everyone to visit their websites and let them know that animal testing is not acceptable.

People often ask me what I use so I thought I would share a glimpse into my awesome make-up bag of tricks that can prep one for a night of 80s dancing, a day at the office, or a spooky Halloween sock-hop. You will find these among my top delights:

e.l.f. Pretty In Pink eye shadow Almay Clear Complexion Pressed Powder Body Shop Tea Tree Matte Moisturizer Wet-n-Wild Megaslicks Sheer Coral Lip Gloss Wet-n-Wild Megaslicks Black Lip Gloss (only available for Halloween!) Revlon Color Stay Eyeliner in Black Tropez Ultra Glaze Lip Gloss in Plum Raisin I recently discovered the e.l.f. make-up at Target that only costs $1 per item--which has allowed me to drastically fatten up my make-up bag. After scanning the ingredients and discovering that not only was the Pretty In Pink eye shadow that I was holding in my hand cruelty-free, but it also was vegan (no lanolin, beeswax, carmine, or other mystery freak show ingredients). Some of their products do contain beeswax, but it's only a couple, so check the label before ya buy if ya only buy vegan make-up. e.l.f. is super fantastic in other ways too. They recently teamed up to make these awesome tweezers that benefit PETA.

They say "fur free" on them... get it? You can check them out here: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/peta.asp and enter to win them along with a phat gift certificate here: http://www.caringconsumer.com/contest_elf.asp cruelty-free lips taste better! <3

It has been a while since I have had the time to update everyone on what is going on out on the road. Let me bring you up to speed.

Let us flash back to San Diego.

Pat Sherman wrote a great article about Ringling for the San Diego CityBEAT. Click here to read, 'Circus under siege - Charges of cruelty follow Ringling Bros. every step of the way'

While in San Diego, I was invited to bring my 'Ringling Beats Elephants' van to the Sweetwater High School to talk to the students about the beatings and the rigors of travel and abusive training that are required for animals to perform silly circus routines.

Before leaving San Diego I made a stop at All Vegan, a superstore of vegan products. So I stocked up on a couple tees, some chocolates, and a new belt. If you are ever in the area you must check this place out -if you never make it to San Diego -don't worry you can shop online at All Vegan

After San Diego, I went to Oakland then San Jose. In San Jose, I ran into an old friend from Orange Peel Records and a friend that works for Zero Mag who just happens to be part owner of the raddest vegan café Good Karma What makes this place so rad is that they know great food and every Tuesday night they have free bingo with awesome prizes like the one which a lucky girl received Starship Troopers DVD! that's right I said Starship Troopers. The place was packed with a wild bunch drinking and eating great vegan food while playing what could be called the 'Only vegan punk rock bingo in town.' So make sure you stop by Good Karma when you hit up San Jose -they will show you a good time and fill your belly with great food.

Before leaving San Jose, I made a stop at the Vans Warped Tour. You can read more about that on the peta2 blog 'Huge Elephant Takes Over Warped Tour'
Kevin Lymann and Sarah Rick Thorne Donovan from Animo Dave from Bleed the Dream Bobby Alt

Then on to Portland, Or. I was interviewed by Lars Larson. For those of you who don't know who Lars Larson is - He has a show that airs coast-to-coast on Fox News talk radio. He also has a local radio program (Portland and Washington State) with the tag line, 'The Right on the Left Coast'. If you missed the interview don't worry I am going to try to get a copy so I can post it here so you can listen. And yes, the interview went well and Lars was very nice.

IndieMedia Portland will be posting a story about the elephant walk and their thoughts on the events that night. once its online, I will include the post link.

So this should bring us up to speed. I have some videos that I will post later. I haven't had time to edit the footage from Good Karma, the high school and all the other fun stuff that been happening.

Oh, if you haven't heard, read this 'Ringling Brothers Will Stand Trial for Elephant Abuse'

I also want to thank everyone who has come out to the demos to help get the word out about Ringling and who hung out with me. Check out the slide show from the road that is posted on Jack's blog

Don't forget to let Denny's know what you think of them teaming up with Ringling Click here to send a letter to Denny's

I am out-of-here! hope to see you on the road!

Dont forget to check out the new addition to Psychosomatic Rants/Zombie Popcorn. The Official Zombie Popcorn Forum! Let me know what you think.