There are some people who should NOT be watching violent movies, TV shows, or even reading violent books. Some people shouldn’t even DARE turn on the news or open a newspaper. The radio is quite enough thankyouverymuch.

And, when they say “The following program may contain scenes of violence. Viewer discretion is advised”? YOU BETTER BELIEVE that sh– is VIOLENT. And, SOME PEOPLE should NOT be watching it. “Viewer DISCRETION”? My arse. VIEWER BEWARE. Because viewer be having SERIOUS wake-up-screaming kind of nightmares. Like I did last night.

Ever had the kind of nightmare that’s SO REAL, and you want to scream, BUT YOU CAN’T? I think I tried to scream three times before, FINALLY, “JOOOOOSSSSSHHHHH” escaped my trembling lips. On went the light. And, I was brave enough to take a nervous peek under my bed.

Even AFTER having a nightmare like that, I’m now watching Prison Break. SO HELP ME GOD. I tried to convince Josh-O that he hated that show, but NO-O-O, Josh-O insists he loves it. And, so, I just watched a CRAZY WOMAN torture a CRAZY MAN and all sorts of CRAZY violent other stuff.

It’s a good thing Wentworth Miller is DANG hawt….

But, then, just as I go to one of my fave gossip sites to find the best possible picture of Wentworth (which, of course, the above IS NOT). I find a worse horror. A video of what’s happening on “factory farms” so that people CAN HAZ burgers, chicken fingers, bacon, etc., etc.. It’s NOT OKAY.

I knew things were bad. But, now I have more visuals tormenting me and keeping me up at night — after I pray, as I always do, for the comfort of the animals.

As of this moment, I’m no longer a vegetarian. I’m now a VEGAN. It’s the only thing I can do for my beloved animals right now (I also donate monthly to WSPA).

I am CRYING.

And, perhaps, another thing I can do is to gently encourage you (if not to go all out vegan like me, then,) to eat more vegetarian meals, and to look for the words FREE RANGE on your egg cartons. If possible and affordable, opt for organic dairy products, buy your animal products from organic butchers or, at the very least, buy meats that are hormone and antibiotic free (assuming the conditions aren’t bad enough to require antibiotics). As Jane Godall said, “everything you buy is a vote” (Harvest for Hope). Vote for the smaller farmers….

I know money’s an issue for everyone right now. Imagine how much money you’d save eating less meat….

(At the very least, give thanks when you eat animal products…. My family laughs at me when I insist they THANK THEIR FISH, but they do it anyway, and I think they mean it.)

Because it is NOT okay. NOT okay. NOT okay.

You might shut me down and insist “HUMANS ARE MEANT TO EAT ANIMALS,” and I’ll give you that. But, humans are also meant to RESPECT ANIMALS. To f-ing RESPECT THEM. Apparently, that’s too much to ask.

Since MOST PEOPLE can’t handle the video footage of the horrors of factory farms, I just saw the video for you (well, as much as I could watch without smashing my computer on the floor and ripping my hair out in AN ANGER I HAVE NEVER KNOWN BEFORE). And, just trust me: NOT okay.

NOT okay NOT okay NOT okay.

Everyone has to choose his/her own cause(s)…. I understand that. Just, this is a big one for me. Thank you for listening and letting me do this small thing for my cause….

May all the animals on this earth find peace and comfort tonight….
xo Haley-O

It was pretty nice, actually. Ten minutes in the dark, with nothing but a chai tea (NOT STARBUCKS) and my kittie. Here’s a snippet of what went down in those 10 minutes of darkness:

Me: You know, Meeno, no one can replace you.
Minden: [kisses].
Me: You’re my baby boy! You’ll ALWAYS be my baby boy.
Minden: Purrr, purrr [kisses].
Me: I love you. I love you so much.
Minden: [yawn] purr, purr, [kiss kiss kisses TONGUE IN MOUTH TONGUE IN MOUTH].
Me: Pft pft, NOT IN MY MOUTH, MEENO! For the love of EARTH, Mouth is OUT OF BOUNDS. Is it 10:00 yet?

Yes. That was one of the most exciting 10 minutes of my life.

Why did I shut my lights, computer, TV off for 10 minutes this evening? PROUD FM made me do it!

I do whatever they tell me to do…. Because they ROCK. I’m telling you, Gorgeouses. You should all live in Toronto JUST for this station. They play the best music, and I LOVE the hosts: I mean, what could be more entertaining than listening to two gay men talk about cottage life on Lake Minnicock (an actual lake in Haliburton, Ontario)?; and the Sunday morning Broadway show?; and did I mention the music?

I hope you danced to that…. I did…. With…. NEW HAIRCUT! Check it:

I was Miss Spontaneous today!

At the end of my insane daily ONE HOUR walk, I passed a hair salon. I stopped, tentatively looked inside, and in I walked — NO MAKEUP, PRACTICALLY IN PAJAMAS — and asked if they could fit me in NOW. Am I a guy, or what? What WO-MAN goes into a random hair salon and asks for a haircut…WITHOUT HER WALLET no less. “I’ll leave my ipod with you! MY CHILD! I promise I’ll come back and pay! I NEEEEED a haircut! Can you?”

They could! ANGELS, they are! And, I LOVE my haircut. Henry at Calia Hair Design did it. He LOVES LONG HAIR and FARA FAWCETT. So, he WON’T CHOP YOUR HAIR OFF WHEN YOU ASK HIM FOR A TRIM. Ahem — I’m still not over my traumatizing pregnancy haircut. Anyway, if you’re in the Toronto area, and you need a $55 dollar haircut (and, I mean, WHO CHARGES $55 ANYMORE? Hello, STEAL?!), check out Calia, and tell ‘em Cheaty sent you. Love!

I’m really into LARGE CAPS this post. Sorry?

Sigh. I’m having more fun blogging since I quit. Refreshed. Less pressure. No gossip to worry about. NOTHING to lose. This was a good decision. And, the whole thing was a good “practice.” “Collapse the structure so we can gradually rebuild,” indeed….

xo Haley-O