I am Elaine.

This is my diary, an ever-changing auto-biography, a blog.

I write about changing the world, changing the web, and changing myself:
feminism, veganism, atheism, egoism.

My Mom Is In The Hospital

May 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Remember how my mom is traveling in the UK? Well, she’s in the hospital now. She’s bleeding internally. It’s not serious enough to warrant a blood transfusion like the last time, but it’s serious enough to keep her there for at least three days.

I spoke to her last night and she sounded drugged. She was kind of out of it from pain meds. This morning she sounded alert and in good spirits. Tomorrow she will have a scope done to see where the bleeding is. And then they’ll decide what to do about it.

It likely a stomach ulcer or diverticulitis, both of which should be fairly easily treatable.

My mom has had a fair bit of trouble with her digestive system. She had her gall bladder removed 26 years ago and as a result we went vegetarian. Then, a few years ago she had a stomach ulcer that bled so much it required a transfusion. The doctors concluded that the ulcer was caused by ibuprofen, which my mom had been taking in fairly high doses to deal with her lifelong migraine headaches. Not long after that, she discovered she had diverticulitis. She’s got knee problems and other issues too.

Anyway, she’s in a hospital far off in a distant land. I’m worried, of course, but it sounds like they’re taking good care of her and she should be out of there and on her way home soon.

To those of you who know her, she’d appreciate text messages. (She has her mobile phone, though she doesn’t have internet for email or blogging.) If you call instead of text, try to keep it short.

Posted by Elaine Vigneault | Filed Under Family, Kids, & Friends, People, Personal
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Meet Reeces

May 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

This is Reeces.

“Reeses is approx. 8 months. She is still a tad shy from her early days on the golf course where her family was rescued, but is really coming out of her shell lately. [...] She does great with the other cats, has great manners, good litter box etiquite, and has never tried to scratch or bite me even when she was younger and really scared. She likes to play with mice and bottle caps and is basically a very sweet and smart girl.[...] If you’re looking for two cats, Reeses would love to be placed with her Mom, Grace”

See Reeces’ petfinder page here >>

Posted by Elaine Vigneault | Filed Under Homeless Pets
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Side Benefit of Veganism: Recognizing New Opportunities

May 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Oprah wrote this:

Wow, wow, wow! I never imagined meatless meals could be so satisfying. I had been focused on what I had to give up—sugar, gluten, alcohol, meat, chicken, fish, eggs, cheese. “What’s left?” I thought. Apparently a lot. I can honestly say every meal was a surprise and a delight, beginning with breakfast—strawberry rhubarb wheat-free crepes. — Oprah

Obviously, she has a wonderful advantage of having a chef prepare foods for her, but I think her sentiment above echos what many vegans feel: veganism hasn’t closed off any doors for us; it’s opened up doors. We have a whole new world of foods rarely eaten by mainstream omnivores.

Related: It’s World Vegetarian Week and here’s a few reasons to kick the meat habit. Ten Reasons To Go Vegetarian. (via Midget Queen)

Posted by Elaine Vigneault | Filed Under Animals, Food, Health, Fitness, & Beauty, TV and Film, veganism
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Oprah Is Going Vegan

May 20, 2008 | 12 Comments

Oprah is going vegan for 21 days! Her show today was about it (and it reruns tonight at 1am if you want to watch it). I’m going to record it on my DVR and watch it tomorrow.

Then I’m going to write a letter to Oprah telling her about my veganism, about how much good her 21 days will do for the animals, the earth, her health, and I’m going to encourage her to stay vegan. I’m also going to suggest that she invite vegan guests onto her show.

Care to follow my lead? That’d be awesome :)

Posted by Elaine Vigneault | Filed Under TV and Film, veganism
12 Comments to "Oprah Is Going Vegan"

Why We Need The Prison Reform & Abolition Movements

May 20, 2008 | 3 Comments

“We incarcerate 500% more people today than we did thirty years ago. The United States is home to a mere five percent of the world’s total population, and 25 percent of the world’s incarcerated population: 2.3 million people, most of whom are incarcerated for nonviolent offenses.”

Read the rest >>

I’ll be honest, I’m not actively part of either the prison reform movement nor the prison abolition movement, but I believe our current justice system is seriously fucked up, I’m anti-capital punishment, anti-gitmo, and pro-crime prevention. I think most legal punishments are bullshit and a legal system borne of violence and revenge tends to be counter-productive to a peaceful and just society.

(Photo by Shayan Sanyal)

Posted by Elaine Vigneault | Filed Under Politics
3 Comments to "Why We Need The Prison Reform & Abolition Movements"

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