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The Avocado Jungle is a source for current events, politics, arts and culture on the web. Editor In Chief David P. Kronmiller, along with a talented staff and guests, bring you news, commentary, analysis, interviews, humor, music, art and more. Our deeper mission is to seek truth in understanding, offering current events, arts and culture as paths to that understanding. We value and promote creative thought, intelligent dialogue, elevated debate, and informed action. If you see something that interests you on the site, please take the time to leave a thoughtful comment. Thanks for visiting.

Jungle Writers

David P. Kronmiller, Editor-In-Chief
Notes from the Jungle
Matthew Tullman, Current Events Editor
On current events.
Joyce Chen Blogging from New York.
Tharuna Devchand Blogging from South Africa.
J Lampinen
Our resident comic strip, Congo & Steve
Joanna Lord
Blogging on life, art and spirituality.
Jeremy Olsen
Director of Development emeritus and occasional commentator.
Dan Rickabus
On things musical.
Nicky Schildkraut
On poetry.

Plus guest writers and past staff, including Zach Fehst, Amy Reynolds, Aaron Vaccaro, Jae Day, Sarah Jawaid, Scott Martin, and Bronson Picket.
August 19, 2010, at 12:56 am — Blogs | Guest Blogs | Uncategorized

Government, Politics, and My Total Lack of Passion

Politics, schmolitics- why can’t people just say everything clearly so government isn’t so hard to understand! And bring me a Mai Tai while you’re at it!

August 17, 2010, at 12:03 am — Blogs | Guest Blogs / /

Thank You Aarti And Susie Fogleson for Helping Me Find My Big Girl Pants!

I don’t know Aarti Sequoia, the latest winner of The Next Food Network Star, I almost know her. Her husband, Brendan McNamara, is in our web series “and Boris”; we have two scenes together where we both revel in the extreme evilness of our characters. I am friends with people who know her, but I have never actually met Aarti. Yet watching her journey, as she struggled with her own insecurities in pursuit of a lifelong dream, as someone I almost know was instrumental in helping me find the spine and determination to continue to pursue my own dreams.

August 6, 2010, at 1:28 am — Blogs | Guest Blogs | Uncategorized

A billionaire? yes, please!

Not only is this a fun song- which is really is- but it also sums up a desire that I think most Americans have- to be rich, and live a fabulous life. Count me in! I’m not gonna deny it, I crave wealth, like most. I’m not afraid to admit it and sound shallow and [...]

July 26, 2010, at 4:31 pm — Blogs | Guest Blogs / / / / /

Guest blogger AMY REYNOLDS: Lessons learned from Those with Less

Exposure to a life you don’t want to live can teach you a little bit about yourself, and the world, if you let it happen.

July 21, 2010, at 11:48 pm — Blogs | Guest Blogs / / / / / / / / / /

Guest blogger AARON VACCARO: (Not so) Breaking News

If you think of the news as a cup of coffee, the untouched, robust mug of French Roast would be the real news, and the cream and sugar the celebrity drivel. Well, I think it’s time to go back to drinking black coffee. After all, who doesn’t want a little more hair on their chest?

July 19, 2010, at 7:01 pm — Blogs | Guest Blogs / / / / / / /

Guest blogger AMY REYNOLDS: Relationships are hard… even with The News

My relationship with the news over my life span has changed from ambivalence, to obsession, to frustration, to acceptance.

July 14, 2010, at 2:09 pm — Blogs | Guest Blogs /

Guest blogger AMY REYNOLDS: It’s the Little Things

Success can be big – like money and cars; or it can be small – like making sure you don’t say something stupid.

July 13, 2010, at 4:07 pm — Blogs | Guest Blogs / / / / /

Guest blogger AARON VACCARO: Successfully Unemployed

Should we continue teaching kids that they can grow up to be whatever it is they set their mind to or should we be scaling back their delusions of grandeur and realistically preparing them for the inevitable bombshell that there can only be one Alex Rodriguez?

June 29, 2010, at 4:30 pm — Blogs | Guest Blogs / / / /

Guest blogger AMY REYNOLDS: Everyday Creativity

Why is the “tortured artistic soul” valued higher than others who are creative in the way they do more mundane things?

June 25, 2010, at 7:00 am — Blogs | Guest Blogs / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Guest blogger AARON VACCARO: Hollywood Thinking Inside the Box

As much as I’d like to blame the studios for catering to the lowest common denominator, it’s ultimately our fault that Hollywood keeps churning out the same recycled product year after year.