Trap Doors
It's All About Me
- L.A. Youth
- About teens by teens. Their online archives don't go back far enough for this to be a live link to my writing, but they are where my writing career started. L.A. Youth gave me my first byline.
- tenderfoot
- a compilation zine about firsts. My poem "Kissing the Hobby Horse" is in Issue #2. Self-promotion aside I really like this heartfelt little zine.
Where Does the Time Go?
- Snopes.com
- Before the Mythbusters (love that show!) there was Snopes.com. Find out which of your favorite bits of urban lore are fact and which are fiction.
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Linkorama! I usually go there with some genuine need for knowledge and find myself following one link to another. I end up entirely off topic and beyond behind schedule, but it's fun and educational.
- 50,000 Monkeys
- at 50,000 typewriters can't be wrong. Wil Wheaton's blog is one of my favorite random reads. There's no PR spin here, just heartfelt insights and refreshing vulnerablility. I like the way he writes, and besides us geeks have got to stick together.
- Punkerslut Freethought
- I found this one on accident. There's a very cool essay called Dialogue on Sex that's dedicated to Crystal Torres. I don't know who this girl with my name is, but she's hanging with at least one very interesting mind.
The Audience is Listening to...
- Radio Free Lytle Creek
- Just one of many low-watt radio stations broadcasting a non corporate-controlled voice. I've listened to RFLC and I like it, but unless you're in the area you probably won't get the same chance. I'm linking to them anyway just to illustrate the option. It is possible to hear/broadcast something over the airwaves besides Clear Channel and Infinity Broadcasting. Hallelujiah!
- The High Priestess
- Regan is certainly a goddess in her own right. She has a hypnotic voice that pulls you in and gives you just a taste of her sensuality, darkness and depth.
- Johnette Napolitano
- This is the voice so many of us came to know and love in Concrete Blonde. My fellow Angelena, turned desert rat, rocks hard and rings true. It doesn't get more real than her. She is my hero, my inspiration and my strength lately, not to mention a big chunk of my iTunes playlist.
- Barenaked Ladies
- See them live, see them often. I think most Americans became familiar with this band when their hit song "One Week" had so many of us mumbling along like we thought we understood the lyrics. I am a big fan of their humor, lyrically and their on stage banter, but if you aren't careful you may actually find yourself touched by some of their more insightful songs. And who doesn't want to be touched by bare naked ladies?
For A Good Cause
- North Star Pet Assistance
- This is a small pet rescue in my area. They're where I got my beloved mutts and for that they have earned a permanent place in my heart. Aside from all that, they have a lot of useful links and information and one of the most helpful women I've ever had the pleasure of doing business with.
- Wildhaven Ranch
- I've had the pleasure of meeting some of their rehabilitating raccoons and love both the animals and the woman responsible for their care. There are dozens of small wildlife charities much like this one. Wildhaven is the one close to me and where I like to aim my contribution.
- Bread of Life
- I came across this charity through an entirely different search but my Seattle sources describe it as "Iconic". All I know is that my uncle Michael works there. What more do I need?
- Monster Make Better
- Boo! A rather endearing charity that doesn't hinge on geography. Definitely worth checking out.
- The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ)
- Because I am a better, stronger and more aware person for their influence on me in my youth. They open minds and hearts.
- Roots and Shoots
- Jane Goodall (the chimp lady) is behind this fabulous group destined to create a new generation of activists. In their own words- "Our Mission- to foster respect and compassion for all living things, to promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs, and to inspire each individual to take action to make the world a better place for people, animals, and the environment."
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Unless otherwise noted all photos and writing belong to Crystal Torres
