Guy Fieri, host of TV show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives hit the jackpot when it came to getting a job.  He cruises across the country in his red 1967 Chevy Camaro Super Sport convertible and stops at local food joints to sample what they are best known for.  BBQ, breakfast, baked goods, it doesn’t matter, as long as it’s good, homemade-style food.  During his stop at the Weeping Radish in North Carolina, he sampled their famous Baked Potato Soup.  The farm-to-table chef personally prepared a large, steel pot filled with milk, flour, potatoes from the field outside, fresh cheddar cheese, chopped green chives, sour cream and bits of bacon cured on site.   The chef stirred the cauldron and announced the famous line we hear so often from all the best chefs, “And now we let it simmer.”

            Simmer, to cook in a liquid that is kept at or just below the boiling point.  The word itself makes my mouth water.  Bring to a boil, and then let it simmer.  Dinner’s almost ready; it just needs to simmer.  Anticipation, getting a whiff of garlic doing the tango with olive oil, as the aroma of fresh basil intertwines itself in the Italian feast my mother prepares on a cold snowy afternoon.  Simmer, a delicate state of transition.

            There are times when we writers experience an explosion of words that tumble from the pen we hold, to the paper we write on, that leaves us in awe.  I don’t know where that came from, but that’s a good line!  Then there are the moments when thoughts, ideas, and fragmented sentences trickle onto the page and just lie there, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.  The prospect of piecing them together into a well-crafted story appears daunting.

            Stepping away and allowing the words to simmer, soak up the flavor, reconfigure into a new delicacy; may be the difference between fast food and a culinary delight.

Today Seaworld has taken a big step to combat the unexpected public backlash from the documentary film Blackfish.  Seaworld has taken out full-page ads, in several well known publications, in an attempt to show the public why they should visit.  If you haven’t heard or viewed the documentary Blackfish, it is now available on Netflix, Amazon and itunes. 

One of the central issues dividing Seaworld and millions of people around the world is the idea of keeping the orcas, aka killer whales, captive for entertainment.  What Seaworld doesn’t seem to understand, or want to admit, is that many people don’t believe dolphins belong in captivity.  I say dolphins, because although they are commonly known as killer whales, orcas are actually dolphins. 

What about all the other animals in zoos, being used for research, testing, and enslaved while they wait to be eaten by us humans?  Yes, what about all the other animals, and if we take it a step further, people enslaved for sex trafficking?  For the purpose of this blog, I am going to stay focused on dolphins.

Why should dolphins not be kept in captivity? 

Research done by scientists for years, such as that done by Dr. Diana Reiss, shows that dolphins are not just big fish.  They are mammals-intelligent and emotional beings.  Dolphins kept in captivity are stressed.  The pod structures are damaged in captivity and the wild when they are torn apart as is the case, all too often, in Taiji.  Dr. Marino argues that while humans enjoy the interspecies encounter in dolphin swims programs, dolphins find it stressful.

Is it ever OK to keep dolphins in captivity?

This boils down to an ethical debate.  I, for one, propose that in a case such as the famous dolphin, Winter, whose tail was amputated after getting caught in a crab trap, it is best to keep her in captivity.  She now relies on a prosthetic tail to swim.  Dolphins who require medical attention by humans may be kept captive for rehab purpose and then released.  If release is not possible, then providing a humane, alternative environment for them to live in would be acceptable.

This allowance, however, gets tested when the said dolphin is worth huge sums of money in captivity, as is the case with Morgan.  Morgan is an orca who required rehabilitation.  Rather than being returned to the wild with a plan created by thirty experts, she was shipped to an aquatic entertainment park.

The dolphins in the news today are generating debate on social media amongst millions of people worldwide.  The Dalai Lama himself recently tweeted, “All beings want to live in peace and happiness, undisturbed. Therefore the concept of human rights is universal.”  I couldn’t help but wonder if this was his answer to the dolphin captivity debate.

What are your thoughts on this issue?

If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there. - Lewis Carroll

The tide is turning on the practice of keeping dolphins and whales in captivity for entertainment, so where will we head next?  Movies like The Cove and Free Willy began to highlight the horror of captivity for the cetaceans and challenged us to rethink our role, as humans, in the treatment of them.  Animal activists such as, Peta, Sea Shepard, and Cove Guardians, plug away at trying to eliminate the cruel practices head on.  Then along comes a movie, Blackfish, a documentary made by an everyday woman, a mother, that ignites chatter worldwide about the harsh reality of this form of entertainment on not only killer whales, but on humans, as well.

It seems safe to say that a line has been drawn in the sand between those who “get it” and those who don’t.  Those who “get it”, that keeping air breathing mammals, capable of intelligent thinking and displaying deep emotion, in concrete fishbowls or fenced in sea pens, to entertain us, is inhumane.  Those who don’t, clamor behind excuses such as ‘research’ and ‘rescue’, when the real threat to leaving these animals wild, is a big loss in dollars.  As those who ‘get it’ become more conscious of where they spend their money, those who don’t will have a choice to come aboard and change or watch their financial portfolios wash away.

Parents will continue to seek entertainment for their children.  Who doesn’t like to see a kid smile or hear them laugh?  The question will be, where will they take them?  The race is on and it’s an exciting time to be part of the brainstorming process, to visualize the next version of an entertainment park.  Gone will be zoos and aquariums housing live animals.  Non-breeding sanctuaries will grow to house those animals that unfortunately cannot be returned to the wild:  clawless, toothless, and dependent on antibiotics.  New models that we have never seen featuring virtual, interacting imagery will take their place.  Imagine being immersed in a real life ocean scene where even megalodons swim by you.  Airline pilots and astronauts train on simulated technology, why can’t we educate and entertain using the same?  Return of the Dino has created an interactive exhibit that kids love.  If we can bring dinosaurs 'back to life', why not do the same for whales, dolphins and other sentient beings and leave the live ones in their natural homes?  Captain Paul Watson, from Sea Shepard, has outlined his out of the box ideas for his vision of the modern aquarium . 

As you look to the future, what do you see?  What would you pay to bring your child to?    

Have you ever had a moment, when you are doing essentially nothing, when something obscure pops out?  You zoom out and see it from the perspective of a fly on the wall.  You almost want to look around to see where the hidden candid camera is.

With Christmas just days away, I have a few gifts yet to buy.  Growing up, we loved to play games, all kinds of games; Monopoly, Clue, Checkers, Backgammon, Life to name just a few.  I’ll get my two young nieces a game, something we all can play and laugh at, when we gather at their home, I thought to myself.

I weaved through the shoppers at Target until I reached the toy section.  Anxious parents battled over which toy their child would like best.  The game section had a wall of it’s own.  Fond memories filled my head looking at some other childhood favorites, Bingo, Jenga, Twister.  I knew what game I came for and sought it out.  But something stopped me.  A game called, Doogie Doo.

I kid you not, Doogie Doo.  The box cover featured kids running around a yard with pooper scoopers in their hands, the tagline along the botton, ‘When You Gotta Go, You Gotta Go!”  I looked around me.  Where are Kramer, Elaine and George?  Heck, even Newman would do. 

For years I worked as an ostomy nurse, helping people learn to adapt to new configurations that allowed them to eliminate their body waste.  I have a dog, who I love and spoil.  Every coat pocket in my closet has at least one poopy bag in it, just in case.  I do what I have to do, but I certainly don’t want to play a game about it.

This was too priceless not to share.  I picked up the game and walked down the aisle and asked a group of shoppers, “Is this for real?”  They broke out of their Santa mission frenzy and looked at the box.  One by one they smiled, then we laughed; nothing like a bit of humor to break the stress of the holidays.

Returning the game in hand, I found what I originally came in to get, the game Operation.  As I went on to search for the batteries that would be needed, I couldn’t help but wonder, what do the poorly paid Chinese factory workers think as they make our American goods?  I could only hope they were rolling in the aisles laughing at us, Doggie Doo, really?

Fool Me Once, Shame On You

I admit it.  I have been to Seaworld and at the time loved it.  I was much younger and the Orcas performing in the Shamu show were extensions of all the family pets I knew, loved, and played with.  I had no idea what the Orcas lives were like after I left the park.  I look back and question why I didn’t question how those killer whales got in those tanks.  Why I didn’t wonder if their fish bowl was big enough for them.  Or  do they really like eating frozen fish?

Fool Me Twice, Shame On Me

The movie Blackfish, cemented a thought that had already begun shifting in my mind.   After volunteering with dolphins and whales in an ‘educational’ captivity aquarium and in the wild, I learned that dolphins and whales are not just big fish.  Dolphins and whales are mammals, like us.  Evidence shows they are more emotionally intelligent than we are.  Having a wild dolphin choose to swim with me in the open ocean, multiple times, allowed me a glimpse into this intelligence and changed me forever.

I assumed, and gave Seaworld the benefit of the doubt, that they would be enlightened and spearhead the change in how we see dolphins and whales.  I was willing to extend them the benefit of the doubt, maybe like I, they didn’t know any better at the time, but were willing to right a wrong.  As I wrote in a previous blog, Seaworld has in immense opportunity now.  Seaworld, however, has given minimal response to the documentary Blackfish and their treatment of these cetaceans. 

Try and Fool Me Three Times

Tweetstorms, protests, even a call from Newt Gingrich for Seaworld to explain, or at least answer the intense fury created by Blackfish in a way that would help the millions who are disheartened by their treatment of the animals, essentially went unanswered.  Instead, they hold steady and continue to promote their model; Macy’s Seaworld float, Groupon offer, and propose a BBQ festival with famous artists playing.

The musicians, however, had a change of heart too.  Barenaked Ladies cancelled their appearance.  Seaworld reportedly offered them in inside tour to show them what they stand for.  What about the rest of us?  Then Willie Nelson cancelled his tour.  And this is when Seaworld nailed the final nail in the coffin for me.  Seaworld’s PR team claimed Willie Nelson’s cancellation was due to scheduling issues.  Kudos to Mr. Nelson who came out and voiced his real intention with CNN saying, “What they do at Seaworld is not ok.” 

I questioned Seaworld’s integrity when they claimed it was Dawn Brancheau’s ponytail that got her killed, especially after watching Blackfish.  It seems to me they don’t care about integrity or the animals in their care.  So, as they say in Shark Tank, “I’m Out”. 

My hope going forward is that a compassionate entrepreneur will create a Virtual Aquarium/Zoo.  If kids of all ages will visit a Disney park where the main character is a mouse character, I have no doubt they will go to a park that is all make believe animals while the real ones live free.

If you haven’t seen the documentary Blackfish yet, you can order it on dvd at Amazon.com

Finding out about the latest and greatest restaurants, hotels, and books has gone far beyond the traditional word of mouth recommendations from friends, family and colleagues.  Written online reviews are helping consumers’ decide quickly whether they want to purchase a service or item based on what total strangers are saying.

Why might you want to join in this conversation?  When it comes to your favorite local small business, a great online review on Google or Yelp can help the business thrive without spending a fortune in advertising, thereby decreasing overhead cost and the price to you the consumer.  Sharing what a great vacation you just had on Tripadvisor.com helps build a resource for travelers that they can trust, and you may want to reference in the future.  When it comes to books, online reviews can help your favorite authors get noticed and sell books in the competitive world of publishing that includes over six million titles.

So how do you, the everyday reader, get involved?  There are some formal ways to write a book review, such as this guideline from WikiHow.com, but most readers appreciate authentic feedback from readers like themselves.  Here are 3 simple tips:

1.     Create an online account on at least one popular book website such as Goodreads.com, Amazon.com, or BarnesandNoble.com.

2.     Create a basic formula that you think you can easily follow.  For example, pretend a friend approaches you as you are reading the book you will review and asks you these questions:

-“Hey, what are you reading?”  Give her a short, less than a paragraph, description of what you think the book is about without spoiling the ending or key points.

-“Did you like it?” Again, brief summation of what you thought about the book.  Would you recommend that she read it?

-Lastly, any personal points you want to add; it helped you see the culture in a new light, it made you feel better about a similar situation you went through, or maybe it made you laugh so hard you woke up your sleeping child.

 3.  Rating:

Each online review site has a star rating system consisting usually of    4 or 5 stars.  Rating books can be a simple way to express your opinion of a        particular book. This is my personal guideline to rating a book, you can    create your own.

-1 or 2 Stars: My father always said, “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”  I generally use this rule for books that I do not like or have trouble getting into.  Therefore, I rarely give a book a one or two star rating.  The only exception is if I REALLY tried to get into a book, like Barbara Kingsolver’s recent novel, Flight Behavior.  I know Mrs. Kingsolver is a classic writer, but despite many attempts at reading this particular book, I did not connect with the characters or the vibe of the book.  On the other hand, I gave her book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle a 5 star rating.

 -3 Star:  Enjoyed the book, average

-4 Star:  Really enjoyed the book, would probably recommend it to friends

-5 Star:  I save this level for my favorites!  Books that moved me deeply, taught me something, I keep on my bookshelf and I loved so much I share my copy with a friend or buy them one.

Your opinion is important, please don’t be afraid to share it.

Would you like an opportunity to read, review and rate I KNOW YOU’RE THERE?  For a limited time, I am offering a free copy of my novel in return for an honest review of the book on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com.   If you are interested, please email me at susanallisondean@aol.com