What’s Happening, Now: Edition Two

A while ago, I wrote an unworthy tribute to the Herb Caen columns that I grew up with. I’ve decided to make it a series. The point of “What’s Happening, Now” is to update you all about achievements and happenings among our friends in the ALI community. I hope to provide some fun, quirky news about our group and to remind us all that we are MORE than our infertility and loss. I hope you enjoy!

A Half-Baked Life provided an intriguing recipe for a Lime Pie this week. Do Lime Pies need the Key in them to be Lime Pies? I’m thinking now, no. Justine would not steer us wrong…Keiko of Hannah Wept, Sarah Laughed dropped a bomb on Twitter: she will be writing a book! Sadly, no details yet.

So… I'm writing a book. Just gonna leave that little gem out there and pack up for the night. Peace —
Keiko Zoll (@MiriamsHope) May 19, 2011

I’m guessing it will be infertility-related, but maybe it will be a Vampire horror novel? Regardless, I look forward to downloading it onto my Kindle soon…In other book news, I am dying to read the sequel to Melissa Ford’s bestselling “Life From Scratch”. I went to the source about the ETA, and she responded thusly:

@2manyfish2fry Not sure. Hoping to finish before the end of summer.—
  (@stirrupqueen) June 02, 2011

Have you ever read Dead Cow Girl’s blog? It’s a fascinating look at a Dominatrix going through IVF. Yes, you read that right…Yolk reviewed a horrendous sounding show about noxious New Yorkers who name their children “Fox”. Yes, you read that right. I think Yolk should be our go-to critic for all Hollywood products about ALI….Finally, to my dismay, Lori has put “Perfect Moments” on hiatus. Wah. I’m going to miss this helpful exercise in joyful living, but her reasons for needing a break make a lot of sense…

Readers, do you have any exciting projects, hobbies or stories to share? Or have you read about another blogger’s triumph? Please provide links below!!

PETA, We’re Dunzo

Ah, PETA.  Over the years I’ve shaken my head at your antics, but mostly in an indulgent fashion.

You see, I come from a long lineage of animal rights proponents.  My mom worked at the local SPCA for ten years.  As I child, I “starred” in a PSA about the importance of adopting pets to the right owners.  (My co-star, a gorgeous Golden Retriever, stole the show.  My tears were supremely upstaged by the noble expression he wore as he realized we were to be separated forever, by “my dad”.)  I don’t wear fur.  I volunteered at an animal shelter for years, scooping poop, cleaning guinea pig cages, shoveling horse stables, socializing the delightful animals who were there, trying to get my parents to adopt each and every one of them and doing outreach to local schools about the dangers of pet overpopulation.  It goes without saying that every dog or cat I’ve ever been a guardian of has been spayed or neutered.

That’s why I think I can say, with some authority, the following:  your latest campaign, in which you volunteer to give a human male “a free vasectomy ” is a pile of horse, guinea pig and dog poop, all combined.

First of all, it comes at a supremely bad time:  your campaign was launched during National Infertility Awareness Week.  ON PURPOSE.   You draw attention to the event in order to denigrate it.  To poop on it.

Finally, we have a chance to educate the public about how awful it is to suffer from infertility. (You probably don’t know, or care, that research shows that those who suffer from infertility have anxiety and depression rates equal to those with cancer and HIV.)  And in the midst of that, you pull this.

Second, as Keiko Zoll pointed out so eloquently:

PETA has decided that it’s acceptable to ridicule, devalue, and trivialize the infertility patient community experience in the name of promoting responsible pet-ownership.

Shame on you, PETA.  You’ve alienated and saddened this infertile more than you could ever know.

For more, read this incredibly powerful letter from Hannah Wept, Sarah Laughed.