I found this while looking for a different ice skating performance to "I'm Your Man" by Leonard Cohen. (I love Leonard Cohen, and I love this song of his.) Although I was seeking a different one, I like this one better. I find the skater's sense of humor amazing. I was transfixed. I stopped work and watched it repeatedly for like an hour. So I thought I should share it with you.

Lennon Allen, of Grimsby, England, dropped a part of his banana. This resulted in a £50 fine for littering. Since he is 16 months old, the ticket was given to his mother, Kirsty Allen, age 29. Although Allen acknowledges that she saw the banana fall, she told the Telegraph, "I didn't really think of it as litter as I thought it would either be eaten by birds or just decompose."

Birds are also at the center of another notorious case of tot littering in the UK. The Daily Mail reported the story of Vanessa Kelly and her son, Harry. The two were at the park feeding bread to the ducks as usual, when a council warden came by. The warden told her that feeding the ducks was forbidden in the area.

Kelly immediately started to put away the bread, but it was too late; she was cited £75 for feeding the ducks.The council warden would have apparently gone after her son for a citation as well, except the warden called the one-year old “too young to prosecute.” The recently unemployed mother was appalled. She had no idea she was doing anything wrong. While one sign in the park warned against “overfeeding,” no sign directly forbid simply feeding the ducks.

The littering offenders should not expect apologies any time soon from the ticketing agencies. John Waite of the North East Lincolnshire Council, the agency issuing the citation to Allen, stated, “The stance of zero tolerance fines for littering will continue in a bid to improve public confidence and restore pride in our local communities and neighbourhoods.'"

I care deeply about the environment, but I think this is a bit extreme. What do you think? Did the moms of littering tots get what they deserved? 

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One fun thing about Twitter is that it allows you to see quick updates in real time. Since all of the posts must be 140 characters or less, it's pretty easy to wade through several updates at a time. If you are looking for some fun and entertaining people to follow on Twitter, it can be really fun to follow certain celebrities. Here are the top 10 celebrities that I think are work following on Twitter: 

1) Quinn Cummings, Twitter Name: @quinncy

Quinn Cummings has worn many hats in her career. She was a child star, and she was even nominated for an Academy Award for her breakthrough role in The Good-bye Girl. She's been a successful businesswoman, and she is a successful writer. Her book came out in the summer of 2009, and it's called Notes from the Underwire. I highly recommend following her hilarious tweets and equally funny blog.

2) Conan O'Brien, Twitter Name: @ConanOBrien

What can I say, I've always had a thing for the underdog. Of course, an off-the-charts funny and talented entertainer who is also a multi-millionaire is hardly an underdog. Even so, I feel bad for the raw deal Conan O'Brien got. I like Jay Leno, too. But Conan is really funny, and his tweets are oddly hilarious. I don't think one setback will define his career by any means, and he's on the road to exciting things.

3) Jewel, Twitter Name: @Jeweljk

Jewel is the successful singer of such hits as "You Were Meant For Me," "Who Will Save Your Soul?" and "Hands" (my personal favorite). She is originally from Alaska, and her life story is a rags to riches one. She currently tweets about her life adventures, her husband, her music and her fans. She gives back a lot to her fans, even offering tickets for those who couldn't afford them on Twitter. She's definitely a fun and uplifting celeb to follow.

4) Kevin Smith, Twitter Name: @ThatKevinSmith

Kevin Smith is the famous film director of such movies as Clerks, Dogma and Chasing Amy. He tweets quite frequently, so be warned if you don't want a lot of tweets from one person in your feed. However, his tweets are oftentimes hilarious, and he responds to a lot of fans on a regular basis. His tweets are often on the adult humor side, another thing you may need to know. Check out his feed, and see if it's for you. It probably will be.

5) Olivia Newton-John, Twitter Name: @Olivianj

Olivia Newton-John is my favorite singer. I'm a bit partial here. Her tweets aren't frequent, but they're always fun or informative. Listen to her much under-publicized, deep album called "Gaia." It's one of the most positive and uplifting albums ever written, and she wrote it while recovering from breast cancer. I recommend listening to that and following her on Twitter.

6) Michael Moore, Twitter Name: @MMFlint

Michael Moore is a liberal documentary filmmaker most people either love or hate. I'm of the former opinion. I've loved all of his documentaries, although I still can't watch and cry at a certain rabbit scene in "Roger and Me." His films are unlike any others, and they teach and wake people up. His tweets are generous and informative. If you like Michael, he's definitely someone that you should follow on Twitter.

7) Bill Cosby, Twitter Name: @BillCosby

Bill Cosby is a hilarious comedian whose career has spanned decades, and he'll always be immortalized by The Cosby Show. His tweets are eclectic and fun, and he responds to people frequently. He posts on things such as the fact that he has an iTunes playlist, fun facts and sometimes more serious issues. He is a great person to follow on Twitter.

8) Alyssa Milano, Twitter Name: @Alyssa_Milano

Alyssa Milano is an actress who is currently filming Romantically Challenged. She was the star of one of the delights of my childhood, Who's The Boss? I was also once devoted to working out to her fitness video titled Teen Steam. She has a career longevity and consistency that's really rare for actors. Her tweets are frequent but always welcome, fun and funny. They are also often done with a purpose. She was able to encourage businesses to match her generous Haiti earthquake relief donation by challenging them on Twitter.

9) Dolly Parton, Twitter Name: @Dolly_Parton

Dolly Parton is the famous singer with the famous body. Her hits include "Islands in the Stream," "9 to 5" and "Two Doors Down." She is one of the first singers I knew of as a kid, and I remember the cassette of her greatest hits that was frequently played. I can still sing most of them by heart. Dolly herself is franky and funny, as well as kind and generous. She gives back to her fans more than almost any other entertainer, and her tweets reflect all of this.

10) John Stamos, Twitter Name: @JohnStamos

Actually, this should be a group follow. John often interracts with his former Full House castmates with hilarious results. Yet, as I sent him those marriage proposals through the mail in fifth grade, I feel a certain loyalty to naming John Stamos. Also, he is very generous to his Twitter followers, on a medium where many celebs simply use it as a promotional tool. He posts all sorts of interesting things and positive, uplifting statements and more. His feed is a must-read.

Well, there are more that didn't quite make the list. It was harder to narrow it down to some of the more interesting and generous Twitter user celebs than I thought.

What do you think? Did I leave out your favorites? Do you have any recommendations? I'd love to hear about them.

Andrew Koenig was a part of my childhood. He starred as Mike Seaver's best friend Boner in "Growing Pains." I used to watch "Growing Pains" in reruns after school every day for years. Kirk Cameron as Mike Seaver was the first poster of a boy on my walls in junior high. Along with "Who's the Boss" and "Full House," the show was important to me and a source of laughter.

Andrew was a great part of the humor on "Growing Pains," but he was not someone to brag on his show business accomplishments. In fact, according to Jane Velez-Mitchell, on her show "Issues" on CNN Headline News, although she was friends with Andrew for years, he never mentioned his role on the show. She only learned it when he casually mentioned something about when he used to film the show when they were on an outting together, years after she met him.

In Hollywood, the town of extreme nepotism, Andrew also didn't rely or use the success of his father, Walter Koenig, who played Chekov on "Star Trek." He never mentioned this claim to fame to anyone, and he even asked a friend to never do that again, when the friend introduced him as Boner. He was his own person who worked in different aspects of show business, including working on VegTV alongside Jane Velez-Mitchell and continuing to act.

The worries started when Andrew did not catch a February 16 flight to Los Angeles from Vancouver, Canada, where he had gone to supposedly relax and see friends. There has been a frantic search for him ever since, and his parents, Judith and Walter Koenig, flew to Vancouver to see if there was something they could do to help. His friends and family members have since made public pleas for him to make contact.

Disturbing stories emerged, such as the fact that Andrew had closed up his Los Angeles apartment before going on his trip and that he had given up important possessions. It's a heartbreaking effort of thinking of others, not leaving things for others to deal with. Grabs my heart and breaks it.

Every news show, from entertainment and celebrity shows to CNN and "The New York Times," covered his missing status, and officials and concerned others in Vancouver made every efforts to find him. It ended in a tragic find in a heavily wooded area of Stanley Park. According to The New York Times,  Andrew's body was found only 30 feet from a popular foot path. His time and exact cause of death (other than the fact that it was a suicide) was not released.

After his body was found today, his mother and father spoke at a press conference. Walter Koenig stated, "My son took his own life. Obviously, he was in a lot of pain." He confirmed that, in the 1,000-acre Stanley Park, which Andrew considered a second home, Andrew had ended his life.

CNN and E! reported that Walter went on to say, "I have received hundreds of emails from people who said they are depressed and considering the same course of action or showed signs of the same behavior. The only thing I will say is if you are one of these people and feel you can’t handle it anymore, I hope you learn from this. Know that there are people are out there who really care. It may not be enough, but before you make your final decision, check it out again, talk to somebody."

Celebrity friends have already started speaking out on their heartbreak. As many celebrities have done with recent deaths of other celebrities, such as Brittany Murphy, they take to Twitter to express at least a bit of their grief. Alyssa Milano announced the tragedy and went on to say, "If you know someone suffering from depression, please do everything in your power to get them help. R.I.P. Andrew."

Candace Cameron, who currently stars on "Make it or Break it" and formerly starred on "Full House," also spoke out. She stated on Twitter, "Heartbreaking. Our prayers go out 2 his family." Candace's brother Kirk starred opposite Koenig in "Growing Pains."

The tragedy was most effectively put into perspective by Andrew's mother, Judith. She stated, ""He was much loved, and he had lots to contribute to this world."

I'm thankful for all of the laughs that Andew gave me growing up, and it really touches me to learn about the person he was. He was a vegan and a committed activist. He was even arrested a few years ago while protesting the United States participation in the United States Olympics. He protested because of the human rights abuses of China. He had deep convictions. What is it about such sensitive souls that lead us to such dark thoughts sometimes?

If you have dark thoughts, they do pass. Life does get better, no matter how dark it has seemed and how insurmountable the problems. Please consider reading this if the dark thoughts have come into your mind and heart: Read This First, Please. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). It's open 24/7 and confidential.

You can hear Chloe's music of her official MySpace Page. I feel protective of Chloe, although I've only met her once to do an interview of her. I found her to be a refreshingly real and kind person, not at all like the unfortuately all-too-often-true Hollywood kid stereotype. I really appreciated her respect and consideration after waiting tables in Beverly Hills and dealing with the most obnoxious children of celebrities in the world. Perhaps members of the media are picking on Chloe, because their experiences with other celebrities left them bitter? Even so, that's not fair.

I first saw Chloe when she acted in "Christmas Romance" when we were both kids; she starred in the movie alongside her real-life mom, Olivia Newton-John. I thought Chloe was very talented, and I also saw her act in "Paradise Beach" and "The Wilde Girls," in which she first displayed her great singing voice.

Later on, as a reporter for "The Malibu Times," I was given a story to do on Chloe. She invited me to her home in Malibu, and I found her to be very frank, fun, funny, and kind. Unfortunately, when I played back my tape to write the article, I realized I giggled through the whole thing. I worried she must have thought I was an idiot. (Giggling is a nervous tick that I have. haha See?) I was nervous doing the interview, as I wanted to befriend her, as I much admired her. She was very kind in the follow up of the interview and has been kind since then when we've communicated; I even later went to see her model and premier a great song of hers at a fashion show in Los Angeles.

Unlike a lot of celebrities who are consistently engaging in all kinds of bad behavior, why is the media picking on Chloe? She's young and enjoying life, having overcome obstacles to be her own person. If she wants to have a drink, that's really her choice.

When it all comes down to it, I think it's the fact that someone who seems to have so much is an easy target. What 24-year-old wouldn't want to be her own person? That's something Chloe very much is; she's a unique and artistic individual.

One recent media story on Chloe was cleared up recently in an issue of "New Idea." Click on the three individual thumbnails to read the full article, provided for people who aren't able to get a copy of the magazine. Click on this New Idea page  for additional photos of Chloe from the shoot that didn't make it to the final article. As for the article itself, I think Chloe's answers are thoughtful, intelligent and given with patience and respect for others who may be impacted. I'll continue to be a Chloe fan.

I have been trying to figure out how I can help. My fellow Twitter users were also wondering that...and some were reporting found ways to help. Yoko Ono reported, "Help Haiti. Please donate $5 by texting YELE to 501501 on your cellphone." Yele is partnering to help with disaster relief efforts.

The Red Cross is working hard to help Haitians. I also found out that a clear way to help. Donate $10 to the Red Cross: simply texting HAITI to 90999. It will simply show up on the next phone bill. This was widely reported and has been confirmed by the organization.

The Republic of Haiti was the first independent nation in Latin America. Two days ago, on January 12, it was struck by a 7.0 earthquake; that's the most severe earthquake that the country has seen in over 200 years. The Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive told CNN that he believed hundreds of thousands of lives were or would be lost due to the quake. 

I so want to do something that will truly help. I have looked at lots of ways and ideas. A lot of companies are helping the relief efforts. I will continue my search on what I, as an individual, can do.

Not only is there symbolism in the twelve days of Christmas, there is symbolism behind each and every carefully chosen lyric of the song.

The true love of the song referred to God. The two turtledoves represented the Old and the New Testaments of the Bible. The three French hens stoof for the virtues of hope, charity and faith. The four calling birds were, in fact, the four calling gospels; they represented the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The first five books of the Bible are the five golden rings of the songs. The Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy).

The six days of creation found a place in the song as the symbol of the six laying geese. The seven sacrements were substituted with seven swimming swans. The eight beatitudes were represented by weight milking maids.

The nine fruits of God appear as the nine ladies dancing, an eloquent imagery. The ten lords leaping may be easily guessed as representing the ten commandments if you've been paying attention so far. :-) The eleven pipers stood for the eleven faithful disciple of Jesus (no Judas included).

Last--and not, by any means, least--is the twelve drummers drumming. They stood for twelve points of the Apostle's Creed.

Understanding this backgroud of the song may help dispel some of the oddity. Imagining a true love with an affinity for owning birds was a bit perplexing to me. Finding out the symbolism behind the song helped me to appreciate and enjoy it in a new day. Just a bit of food for thought.

May you have a very happy Twelfth Day of Christmas tomorrow...and a very festive Twelfth Night.

Overall, I really liked the movie. I've long liked the work of James Cameron. I started college the year after "Titanic" came out, and the students in film history class mocked me for daring to like the *gasp* most successful film ever. It didn't stop me from continuing my affinity for the movie and his work.

Animation isn't my favorite genre. I guess I should admit that, but I was wowed over the art of the movie. It's rare that a film can so fully immerse the imagination into its world. The 3D complimented the film, but it didn't overpower it. There was no relying on those 3D tricks to make you jump out of your seat. It simply helped the story and the film.

I really enjoyed the metaphors that I perceived from the film, whether they were inferred or implied. Strong statements on the current practices of humans of this country on our own planet...or was that just me?

I was really into the movie at first. My empathy was with Jake, the paraplegic marine taking on a courageous mission after the passing of his brother, and the people of Pandora. Even after the first life-or-death show down where Pandora native Neytiri saves Jake's life, I tried to dismiss the animal slaughter in it as self-defense. Who knows what one would do in a life-or-death situation? The lovely Neytiri is even very ticked off that the animals had to die, leading me to believe that her world must be a compassionate one.

As Neytiri introduces Jake into her world, however, it's clear that the people of Pandora exploit and murder animals the same as people on earth. Hunting is considered a rite of passage, and the taming of the animals that are used by them resembles the cruelty and inhumanity of breaking horses. I was always one to empathize with animals in films, ever since early childhood (Do you even realize how messed up "Old Yeller" is?). A large part of teaching Jake her ways involved teaching him ways to hurt the animals. That's not natural for a people pursuing kindness, as I had hoped this planet would be.

I thought that it was a bit hypocritical and didn't serve the story that the people that we most empathized with, the ill-fated souls native to Pandora, seemed to feel no empathy for those that they had dominion over. There was talk of connecting to the animals while commanding and using them and thanking them after being killed, but that's self-serving b.s. that took me right out of the story, perhaps because it's how I've often heard people rationalize murdering animals for meat and other frivolities on this particular planet. No animal that you've just slaughtered and are using gives an eff if you thank them.

I so wanted to be immersed in this Pandora planet, and I was disappointed that this group of people who seemed to have so much pride in respecting their planet and being connected to what is pure and right would be equally exploitative over what things they could get power over. Did nobody else notice this parallel to how the Americans were exploiting the planet of Pandora...and how the native souls on Pandora were exploiting animals themselves?

We all come into a film with out own stuff going on. People will all perceive it somewhat differently. It's not for me to project my own views into the world of the movie, but I did get taken aback by animal cruelty, as I always do in films, fictional or otherwise.

I should say: Using animated animals in a film is THE way to go. I'm not criticizing the filmmaker for the story told or the methods used to tell it. (Hurray that no actual animals were exploited as too often happens in film). My only gripe is that the characters in the story disappointed my expectations for them.

I love such sci-fi movies like "Logan's Run" that depict a future world where people shudder at the time when people weren't vegan. ;) I really liked "Avatar," too.

My mentioning those original lyrics may cast light on my previous holiday mood. However, I'm forever thankful for all of my blessings and experiences in this life. I was in the midst of writing a blog entry, then it was accidentally deleted when I clicked a link away from my update without clicking "save." Oh, well. Can't sweat the small stuff.

I had decided against trying to re-post in any way, shape or form. However, I then received some GREAT news. I recently posted my letter written in protest to the horrible, planned slaughter of deer in Valley Forge. Lee Hall posted this update:

"'National Park Service officials have called off this winter's long-planned and highly controversial deer kill at Valley Forge National Historical Park.' - Jeff Gammage, Philadelphia Inquirer reporting on the successful legal challenge brought by Friends of Animals, CARE, and Denver University's Environmental Law Clinic"

Thank you to Friends of Animals, CARE and Denver University's Environmental Law Clinic!  This is a huge victory for animals, and it will ricochet in how it helps others.

My Christmas is now a merry one. I hope yours is, too.

I was a long-time PETA member. I first joined as a child. As a kid, I had decided to be a vegetarian for ethical reasons. I later won a PETA2 songwriting contest for my lyrics, and I've done all kinds of animal rights activism through the year and supported PETA in many ways. I've applied to work there. I even received a job offer from them once, and I couldn't take it. I've long defended the animal rights organization. That's before I knew where they stood on people of different body sizes.

Ingrid Newkirk spoke a lot of hateful things on her blog that also was proven to fully distort the studies it cited. She said such mean things as, "People are obese because they shovel in food and haven't a clue (or don't want to have a clue) about a healthy diet." She also says, "The majority of fat people need to have some discipline and remember that being fat means being a bad role model to our children."

My Twitter debate all started innocently enough. I wanted to applaud the Thanksgiving commercial that PETA put out (and was banned by NBC from airing during the Thanksgiving Day Parade). It's this one: http://www.peta.org/FeatureGrace.asp

Well, I posted by first tweet.

Robin: I lost a LOT of respect for @officialpeta with their body hate campaigns, but I have to say that the new Thanksgiving commercial rocks.

PETA: Our campaigns r about loving one's body & being proud of it. Being #vegan is the best way 2 luv ur body. The grace ad rules tho!

Robin: At least be honest. Your ads were FULL of body hate, stating fat people can't be role models. I do love the Thanksgiving ad.

PETA: We will have 2 agree 2 disagree on that 1! Have a gr8 holiday!

Robin: It's stated on your blog written by your founder Ingrid. I'm not stating an opinion, but a fact. I'd be ashamed of it, too.

Robin: How does one disagree that they said something that's stated on their official blog for all to see? Ask PETA.

Robin: Quoting Ingrid on PETA's official site: "remember that being fat means being a bad role model to our children."

PETA: So r u saving that we should teach children that obesity is not a problem?

Robin: Way to spin what I never said. Caught in a lie, deflect. :-) Role models come in all shapes and sizes.

PETA: No, not a lie. Healthy individuals r the best role models 4 children & so it is our responsibility 2 lead by example.

Robin: Became peta member as kid. Won peta2 song contest. Longtime member. Imagine my shock to know fat vegans are dissed.

PETA: It's not about dissing any1, it's about becoming the healthiest 1 can b. Obesity by def is said 2 have adverse effect on health.

Robin: Healthy people come in all sizes. There are many other animal rights organizations that aren't cruel that I now support.

PETA: Obesity does not = health, therefore healthy ppl do not come in ALL sizes. This is not 2 say the only healthy size is small.

Robin: Way to spin. You state disagreeing with me citing what your ad said. When I pointed out a quote, you spin differently. I see you are just as ignorant of the studies as your founder. There are fat people every bit as healthy as thin.

Robin: Anyway, I do apologize for giving you a second chance from the grace ad. I see your just as prejudiced as ever. Bye Bye, PETA!

**end of tweets**

I would like to further speak about how there are better animal rights organizations that aren't cruel and hating on people who don't meet their size requirements!

I'd love to know which charities and organizations you plan to support at the holidays? On Thanksgiving, I especially want to help one that helps animals.

I love AdoptaTurkey.org by Farm Sancturay.

FriendsofAnimals.org is also wonderful.

Let me know what you think. :)