Cause and Effect

I spend a lot of time reading articles on conservation {environment and wildlife wise) and I have discovered something. Our Conservation efforts have a giant flaw to them.

As a "species" able to change our environment to fit our needs, we still haven't been able to do so without affecting everything around us. If you know anything about wildlife... it is balanced. Every living thing helps to keep every other living thing in check. The ratio of prey to predators is balanced, disease among species is balanced... even the distribution of resources is balanced. We over-fish, over-farm, destroy habitat, pollute our environment and take out species like they will always be around or "our impact doesn't affect as much as some people think it does".

Our rain-forests provide the earth with an abundant amount of rain/oxygen to breathe. With the destruction of this ever so important habitat, there will be world-wide droughts and a lower amount of oxygen.

The coral-reefs filtered out carbon basically cleaning out air. With pollution and the depletion of the organisms and animals needed to sustain this ecosystem, it has no chance of surviving.

Most of the big fish populations has decreased about 80% in just 20 years. Some shark species are threaten which help keep fish (as well as seal) populations strong and in check eliminating the weak. Several species such as the swordfish have shrank in size due to fishing them so often not even giving them a chance to reach full adulthood.

With more and more species discovered each day, it makes one wonder how many go extinct and we don't even know about them.

To show just how important every species of plant and animal is important here's an example.

In Yellowstone national park... there is a tree that produces pine nuts. They are about 50% fat so packing on weight for the winter would be easily done. A tree squirrel spends the day collecting seeds which fall to the ground. A family of bear comes along and eats the seeds already taken from the pine cones. In turn the bear and her young can survive the winter months. The birds that also feast on them help spread them around so more trees can grow. Also with the wolves population back there, the moose population is controlled leaving more food for beavers that help change the water ways which create marshlands and create new habitat.

Everything is connected so when one plant or animal gets eliminated, a whole ecosystem could collapse.

The change we need to make need to ensure that we not only make life better for us but also protect the ecosystems around us. We have a habit to deplete a species almost to extinction and then make efforts to bring back the population only to deplete their numbers again. This way of doing things only makes thing unstable.

When we brought back bald eagle populations... there is question as to populations on the California coast could prove to do more harm than good. Their food sources had been decreased greatly which could lead to them feasting on remains of fish which may still be laced with the chemical DDT which almost eradicated them in the first place.

So if we don't change some of our habits soon, the very species we try to protect and save time and time again could be gone forever... just like the many species that have already succumb to this.

Less Than plus Three

During my daily contemplations of life, I've decided to compile a list of things I want to accomplish this year. { Since I have a selective memory }

1. Visit a quaint town in South Carolina.
2. Finish the next 3 semesters with GPA's of at least 3.71.
3. Move out on my own.
4. Fly in a plane.
5. Take a road-trip with friends.
6. Visit my grandparents.
7. Learn to do different things with my hair.
8. Visit most museums on the east coast.
7. Travel to the west coast.
8. Learn the clarinet again.
9. Save at least $850 a month { before moving out }
10. Run in a marathon.
11. Go to a wedding.
12. Learn the cords of "Me & Bobby Mcgee" and sing along.
13. Go to Wolftrap.
14. Go to a play { Ever since Hey Arnold did "Carmen", I still want to see it }
15. GO VEGAN 100%
16. Spread my knowledge about animal cruelty.
17. Have the path I want to go on while knowing a detour is possible.
18. See a meteor shower -with friends or my love-
19. Forgive someone that has done me wrong.
20. Paint a picture I'm proud of.
21. Get a passport.
22. Go white water rafting.
23. Stay on the beach all night while camping pondering hermetic philosophy.
24. Have a peaceful debate with someone about going vegetarian.
25. Relish in the beauty of life rather than the destruction of it.
26. Enjoy nature more.
27. Sit outside on a nice day -just because-.
28. Form life-lasting bonds.
29. Apologize when need be.
30. Eat more fruit.
31. Learn to cook and not relying on pre-made food.
32. Collect unique vintage things.
33. Purchase silver silverwear.
34. Purchase more hats.
35. Sponsor at least two rescued moon bears.




That is it so far.... I may add more or hell, I may just even DO them.

No Title, Just Thoughts

It's been a while since I've actually looked at this thing so why not add something to it?

I've noticed when people meet me for the first time or the first few times they can't really pinpoint what my "deal" is. I can't really tell you what it is but to know my past is to understand why I'm "the way" I am.

First off, I know my looks are more than average (depending on the day) but I don't see that a reason to be conceited or treat others as beneath me. If you've seen my facebook, you know what I looked like growing up. And if you haven't... just picture big round glasses, part on the side and chipmunk cheeks. That transformed into looking like the 4th Hanson. Seems funny now, but it really wasn't then.

I've been teased and bullied for most of my life... and even now I've noticed people try to break me down saying some of the most ignorant and stupid things about me. But I've learned to take it all in stride because in fact it makes me BETTER than them.

I would love to get involved with helping younger kids that do get bullied because I've first handed experienced it for so long and if I could help anyone rise above it, well that would be awesome. I've learned you can act like a victim but you will ALWAYS get victimized.

Also during this time, I had time to "develop" my personality. I've always had the mentality to treat others how I want to be treated. Whether they have hurt me, I always hear the other person out... even if I know 100% that I shouldn't. I've also been able to distance myself from any group of friends, frankly because I'm in my own world half the time. This led to me not becoming a "part of the group" that goes to bars every weekend and drinks every chance they get. That whole lifestyle gets boring quick and I'd rather do something more productive with my time and money.

But any-who, it'll be interesting to see what direction this will go in (if I ever write in this again). So we shall see what the future hold.