Off the Grid Book is Off the Mark

Off the Grid book

Periodically I am mailed books for review, such as Rachel Maddow’s well researched recent bestseller, Drift, or the excellent Beaver Manifesto, which analyzes the vital role played by that keystone species. Awhile ago I received Off the Grid: Inside the Movement for More Space, Less Government, and True Independence in Modern America by Nick Rosen in the post. I have lived off the grid in many different situations at various locations over the course of my life, and I really wanted to like this book.

Lechner’s Ordinary People Installations Celebrate Everyday Moments

Ordinary People statues

For many years the German artist Christel Lechner has been working on a series of engaging sculptures entitled “Ordinary People”. The life-size concrete constructions depict normal people partaking in simple activities, from bathing and dancing, to just sitting around at a bus stop or in the park. The statues have been installed as public art in real world settings at various nondescript outdoor locations.

Obama & Fallon Slow Jam More Affordable Student Loans

Obama and Fallon

As our economy struggles and public funding for our schools continues to be slashed, the cost of getting an education in the United States has skyrocketed. Student loan debt is crippling many families, and hindering our economic recovery. President Obama addressed this issue on Jimmy Fallon’s show this week, fighting for lower student loan interest rates:

Cartoon Calendar Illustrates How Clean Water Access Impacts Women

Women and Water Sanitation calendar 2012

Having ready access to clean water is something that many of us take for granted. However everyone would treat water much differently if we were forced to walk for miles every day just to transport a few gallons of this precious resource. The Women’s UN Report Program & Network (WUNRN) is helping to get the word out about how the lack of access to potable water disproportionately impacts women and girls with a new cartoon calendar designed to help raise awareness about this vital issue.

California: Buying an Ounce of Cannabis for Fifty Dollars

medical cannabis

Yesterday I bought an ounce of medical cannabis for just fifty dollars at my local marijuana dispensary in San Francisco. The legalization of medical pot has done wonders to drive down the price of California’s number one cash crop, while the quality of the medicine has never been better. Excellent affordable medical marijuana is one of the many benefits of being a cancer patient living here in the golden state.