Hello friends and family,
Well, it's our first anniversary! Rather than getting out the drinks and party balloons, we are focusing on this year, 2008. It is an important year, politically and environmentally, and we here at The Falcon and the Dove will continue to discuss some of the more difficult issues, and hopefully get answers to some hard questions.
There will be interviews this year with people who are making a difference in our communities and around the world. We hope their information will inspire you to do something significant in your corner of the world this year.
This is a very important year in politics in the U.S. We must make our voices heard in ways perhaps that they never have been. Speak up, or stop whining about what's not right with the world. Participate, don't be a spectator. Do something proactive, not always reactive. My new motto for the year is: "Get a spine, and helps others to do so." For those of you who have always been bold and fearless, I salute you! Your courage, hopefully, will be acknowledged and rewarded.
For many of you, this is the first time you will be old enough to vote in a presidential election. Remember, it's not just the president who makes decisions. Those making some of the greatest impacts in your life are those on the local and regional level, so get out there and tell them what you think, and what you want them to do. After all, there are public servants; they work for YOU! Vote accordingly.
Be strong, vibrant, and dynamic. If you have an opinion about something that can help your community, region, the environment, etc. find out all you can about the subject, and then move forward with that conviction from an informed position. Study, ask questions, and demand a timeline for action. Be persistent.
If you are looking at an opportunity for advancement, this is the year to go for it. Knock on the proverbial door again and again. If they won't let you in, don't be discouraged, go to a different door. Or, as that wise sage Lee Trevino says," if you can't get in the door, break out a window and climb on in..." hehe
We will also be having some fun this year with some of your favorite subjects: movies and film, Oscar predictions and follow-up, pet stories, and craziness from around the world.
Stay strong, my Brothers and Sisters. Keep the faith, and don't let the stupid ones get you down. You are powerful and beautiful, remember that. Share that sentiment with someone you love.
Peace,
Falcon (Dove is studying for mid-terms)
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Our First Anniversary
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Actor Heath Ledger Dies at Age 28
Hey, this is Falcon,
We were supposed to be discussing the Oscar nominations today, and will in the near future, but I couldn't let the day go by without acknowledging the loss of Heath Ledger, passing today at the age of 28. Apparently, there was a problem with some pills, it may be accidental, and I will wait until the toxicology test comes back to comment further...but, what a shame!
Heath was a tremendous talent who brought us a variety of portrayals, amoung the most recent, as one of the Bob Dylan actors in "I'm Not There", and I am sure he will bring a new dimension to The Joker this summer in "The Dark Knight".
To his family, friends, and loved ones, our deepest, sincerest sympathy. I cannot imagine your sorrow. Please know that love never dies, and that all that was wonderful about Heath will be with you always.
As a parent, my thoughts went immediatly to his beautiful little daughter. I hope that she and her family are given the proper space to mourn, and that comfort and grace be given to them all, but to her in particular.
Dove, my daughter sends her sympathy as well. We will cover the Oscar noms soon, but today...we bow our heads.
May you be at peace, Heath. We will miss your spirit.
In love, and respect,
Falcon and Dove
Monday, December 17, 2007
TFATD: An Interview with Lillian Brummet
Hello everyone! The Falcon and the Dove is back, well at least Falcon is! I (Dove, aka Areya) am away at college (but on break at the moment). So we both now present Falcon's (Steph's) interview with Lillian Brummet, just in time for the holidays!
As for our regular show, it looks like Falcon will take over and post an article on the blog when she can. We won't be able to record together because I will be more than 700 miles away from her most of the time. Therefore, we have arranged this compromise. Falcon is an excellent writer, and she hopes to provide the same valuable information that we both brought you through the podcast! But for now, enjoy her interview with the charming and wonderful Lillian Brummet!
This show, Stephanie (Falcon) speaks with Lillian Brummet, co-author with her husband Dave of 'Purple Snowflake Marketing - How to Make Your Book Stand Out in a Crowd', 'Trash Talk - An Inspirational Guide to Saving Time & Money through Better Waste & Resource Management', and 'Towards Understanding - A Collection of 120 Poems on Society, the Environment & Overcoming Trauma'. They disuss writing, drumming, music, gardening, the environment, and much more! Enjoy!
- Check out The Many Hats of Dave and Lillian Brummet, their website!
- Check out Dave and Lillian's radio show, Conscious Discussions on BlogTalkRadio!
- Also, check out Lillian Brummet's MySpace Profile!
Saturday, November 3, 2007
My Review of SpringHouse Greenhouse
Originally submitted at All Greenhouses
The SpringHouse is perfect for improving climatic conditions in all geographic locations. The greenhouse environment makes it easier to keep your plants green. Now your plants can bloom earlier with a head start on the Spring and Summer months and you can garden year-round! The SpringHouse design i...
Great Greenhouse
Pros: Weather Resistant, Keeps Animals In/Out, Attractive Design
Cons: Difficult to Set-Up
Best Uses: Protect Garden, Storage
Describe Yourself: Gardening Addict
The greenhouse is sturdy, and portable. It has its own carrying bag! The UV plastic is excellent grade, so you do need more than one person to set it up. The anchors are great, and I love the doors on each side. I put in my solar light, and I was set. Keeps animals out, plants secure.
(legalese)
Saturday, September 1, 2007
TFATD 31: TIFF, Tolkien, and Recalls
Episode 31 of The Falcon and the Dove: TIFF, Tolkien, and Recalls! This show, we talk about the new films at the Toronto International Film Festival, climate change, never-ending recalls, a possible iCar, anniversaries, and more! Enjoy!
- Overview
- The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) schedule was released! There are a wide variety of films this year, with some great picks from Warner Independent!
- Bo Diddley is in stable condition after a heart attack.
- Among the nauseating amount of recalls this past month, spinach has been recalled after salmonella was found.
- Will climate change flood our homes? There is a way to find out online!
- New residential solar technology goes for good looks and low prices!
- Apple Inc. and Volkswagon discuss a deal for a possible iCar!
- Senator Larry Craig, Republican from Idaho has resigned after pressure to leave.
- August 31st was the 10-year anniversary of Princess Diana's death. MSNBC re-airs Diana's funeral, and her sons, Princes William and Harry, attend a memorial.
- September 3rd is the 34-year anniversary of J.R.R. Tolkien's passing. We discuss the Lord of the Rings author's life, including little-known details about him.
- The Quote of the Week. Books and ideas.
Download Episode 31 Here! (Length: 1 hour, 5 minutes; Size: 59.8 MB)
Sunday, August 26, 2007
TFATD 30: Ice, Windmills, and Summer Reading
Episode 30 of The Falcon and the Dove: Ice, Windmills, and Summer Reading! This week, arctic sea ice melting reaches a record low, controversy surrounds a windfarm due to 'environmental concerns', a teen hacks into the new iPhone, summer books, and much more! Enjoy!
- Overview
- Special thanks to Harry and the Potters and Draco and the Malfoys - wizard rock bands who just finished a 70 city U.S. Tour, with their final show in Pittsburgh. Great music about literacy, unconditional love, and standing up for what you believe. You guys really rock!
- Artic Sea ice has reached a recond melt in July and will pass the hottest year on record with the greatest melt in 2005. At this rate, by September (the time considered to be the greatest time for melting), there may be as much as 800,000 square miles of additional melt since 2005.
- IJGT Junior Golf Organization. International Junior Golf Tour: Mike Trino is the membership contact. www.ijgt.com
- Shaffer Mountain windmill hearing set for Aug. 28 - A windfarm with 30 windmills is being constructed on Shaffer Mountain in Somerset County, PA, but not everyone agrees with the project, stating possible environmental and hunting problems. There will be a public hearing on the initiative on Sept. 28 at 6pm at Shade High School, McGregor Ave. Cairnbrook, PA.
- Two takes on some good summer reading: Tony Norman of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette lists some of his favorites in non-fiction, and J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, is interviewed by "O" (Oprah) Magazine and mentions some of her inspirations. Read the J.K. Rowling interview!
- Teen hacks iPhone before college
- Ebert tells ABC/Disney to not use the 'Thumbs Up' or 'Thumbs Down' until a new contract is in place with his movie review show. Although he has been in poor health, the show has had guest reviewers. The two new shows recently recorded will not be allowed to use the "Thumbs" until a new contract is signed.
- The Quote of the Week. Good books.
- And more!
Download Episode 30 Here! (Length: 1 hour, 15 minutes; Size: 68.6 MB)
Monday, August 20, 2007
TFATD 29: Hurricanes, Preschools, and Lemonade
Episode 29 of The Falcon and the Dove: Hurricanes, Preschools, and Lemonade! It's finally here! This week, we explain the delays and promptly catch up on the many stories of the past few weeks! We discuss, Hurricane Dean, Michael Vick's plea, miracle and inspirational stories, keeping your pets cool during travel, bad drivers and much more! Enjoy!
- Overview
- The federal government cut the prime rate last Friday...just what Jim Cramer asked Ben Bernanke to do!
- Hurricane Dean hits the southern islands, killing at least 9. What to do if you're in the path of a hurricane.
- Rumor: J.K. Rowling may be writing a Scottish crime novel. UPDATE: This ended up being a joke made by the author's neighbor that got out of hand. The rumor appears to be false, although Rowling has stated that she intends to continue writing novels.
- Football player Michael Vick pleads guilty to dog-fighting. A dog chew toy has been made in his...uh, honor.
- The Nine Traffic Circles of Hell. One reporter's take on bad drivers.
- Teen survives a 6-story fall with only scrapes. We discuss window saftely measures.
- How to travel the RIGHT way with your pet!
- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, an organization established by a young girl with rare children's cancer, has raised over $12 million for cancer research! You too can hold your own lemonade stand to raise money for this charity! (Note: the web address we give in the show is incorrect. This is the correct URL: www.alexslemonade.org)
- Preschool has become very expensive, to over $10,000 a year! We discuss alternatives like free Parent Co-ops, nannies, homeschooling, and more, including reading aloud to your child. The best preschool is great parenting.
- The Quote of the Week. From Jim Cramer's Rant.
- And more!
*We also attended a special concert this past weekend featuring Harry Potter 'Wizard Rock' bands, Harry and the Potters, and Draco and the Malfoys. These two groups are probably the most popular of over 100 Wizard Rock bands out there, spanning genres and stories other than Harry Potter as well.
This concert was held at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in Oakland, and was attended by over 400 people. What is so awesome about Wizard Rock is not just vast and diverse community it attracts and the books that it's based on, but the fact that it gets so many people, including kids and teens, into reading. Carnegie Library's summer reading program attracted hundreds, and over 6,000 books were checked out by them!!! Great job everyone! Prizes were also given out at this special event. The Falcon and the Dove was there, and we recorded most of the concert. We'll post some sound clips from that concert soon! Congrats to Harry and the Potters, Draco and the Malfoys, and the hundreds of people who read this summer and made this event so special. It is people like you who make the world rock!!!*
Download Episode 29 Here! (Length: 1 hour; Size: 55.6 MB)
