SOLIDARITY FAST FOR ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe has descended to an almost unimaginable state of desperation. Most of Zimbabwe's 11 million people eat one meal a day—or less. But as pressure rises at home, in the region, and around the world, Mugabe's grip on power may be slipping. Click below and join the one day global solidarity fast -(from sun up to sun down)- the more of us that fast the stronger the call for justice and democracy

Pledge to fast for a day sun up to sun down, if you are able.
Thank you,
Michael

France proposes Tax on Coca Cola,

Didn't know that Bush's administration tripled the import tariff on Roquefort.
Save Roquefort Cheese

Zen the movie on Master Dogen coming soon.

My Zen teacher recommended this but it is in Japanese only and not showing here, yet. It just opened on the 10th of January in Tokyo.
Here is a preview.

They're leaving Califonia in droves.

For the fourth year running, more residents left California than moved there from other states. In the year ending July 1, 2008, the state lost 144,000 people, more than any other US state, according to census estimates.

The most popular destinations for those quitting California are Texas, Nevada, Arizona and Washington state, the U-Haul truck rental company told the Los Angeles Times.

I have read locally that we may lose a seat in Congress due to the shrinking population. Read the whole story here from the Telegraph in the UK.
On the same subject of cost of living, You can compare your cost of living with other cities by using this calculator.