I spoke on the human overpopulation crisis at my friend Steve Glenn’s monthly salon, which he has named FRED talk.  He hosts the evening at his spectacular Santa Monica, California home, which is the first platinum LEED residence in the world. Each speaker talks for only 5 minutes (Steve is very strict, so I practiced hard to come in under time – the chime you hear is at the 4 minute mark to warn speakers the end is nigh).   There is a 5 minute Q & A also. Enjoy.

In order to kick off my website’s new design, I am giving away 3 personalized autographs. To be eligible: Step 1: Sign up for my mailing list (if you havent already) Step 2: Share www.alexandrapaul.com on your Facebook or Twitter account (be sure to let me know by posting a comment below with your Facebook or Twitter link) 3 winners will be randomly chosen to receive an autographed actor’s headshot, Baywatch promo 8×10, or a still from the movie Christine. You decide! Contest ends August 15, 2012. UPDATE: Contest is now closed and the winners have been notified. A big thank you to everyone who participated!

Good news: the race was not cancelled due to the stormy weather.  It was very windy, but it was under 30mph by the time we started.  Phew.  It rained hard during the swim, but what did I care, I was in the water! Bad news:  my kayaker lost control of her boat almost right away due to the waves and wind, and couldn’t get back out past the surf.  Thus, I spent the first 4 miles without food or water :(. Good news:  At mile 4, the coast guard stopped me and said  I had to be pulled from the race if I didnt have a kayaker escort me through the harbour (I tried to swim as far as I could and pretend I was not seeing their gestures, but then they pulled right in front of me.  End of pretending ). This sounds like bad news, but at that moment a boat pulled up and offered to escort me. Bad news:  He had no food on board, except a handful of chips, which I ate.  Even the ones that fell in the water, since beggars cannot be choosers.  Plus, I figured the extra salt content would be helpful (my … Continue reading →

So I have been training for the Swim Around Key West for several months. Since the swim race is 12.5 miles and I will be in ocean between 7 and 8 hours, I needed to ramp up my time in the pool as June 23 approaches. That meant more 3 hour swims, then a few 4 hour swims, and then a 5 hour swim. I have to test not only my own fitness, but the clarity of my goggles, the comfort of my swimsuit, the tightness of my cap and the food I will be ingesting during the swim. My kayaker, Margie Blanco, will be alongside me the whole time for safety, direction and to throw food and drink to me in the water. I cannot touch the boat, so it is a delicate dance to stop for as little as 10 seconds to take a mouthful of calories every half hour or so. The water will be about 85 degree Fahrenheit and the air will be even hotter, so getting dehydrated is a concern, and absorbing 300 calories an hour is a challenge for me. But I have concocted an awesome vegan shake of PureAlmond milk, almond butter, banana … Continue reading →

I received the Ed Begley Environmental Leadership award on Sunday at Worldfest, an environmental festival with an emphasis on animals and veganism.  The wonderful animal activist and terrific actor Billy McNamara presented the award to me since Ed was out of town working.   He was funny and charming in his introduction, and I appreciated that he showed up since he had a broken wrist, stitches in his forehead and a black eye from a  recent skateboarding accident.  My friends Nik Tyler, with whom I am producing a movie; Nikki Benoit, with whom I leaflet at colleges for Vegan Outreach; Hilel, who is my friend from Zero Population Growth  and my beloved Ian were there in support.  Afterwards, I ate hemp icecream to cool off from the 93 degree weather and Ian ate something healthier and we wandered through the booths and ran into many people we know.