Withinsight

Occupy your heart

2011-11-05T14:46:00.002-07:00

There's a lot of discussion and public venting of opinions on the Occupy movement. The gist is usually that protestors may have some legitimate gripes, but they are unfocused at best, and rather annoying and should go home. Here's a link to a US Senator who takes that critique and turns it on its head.

I think there are a few other things happening too:

- Discovering that there a movement can arise that doesn't really care if the mainstream media or politicians get them...that predictable outcomes are something those in power should be afraid of (or pay attention to).

- Being rich ain't what it used to be ... at least the uber-rich might consider not flaunting it in a world that is beginning to see them as, ignorant and wasteful.

- Moving to conversation before taking positions or demands is a good thing...this one leading to conversation about equity and what kind of society we want to live in.

I'm an optimist by nature, and I don't need to see results or clear plans to know when an idea is gaining some ground. Or as one demonstration sign hopefully says, "THE BEGINNING IS NIGH!"

Summer has been fine...

2011-09-05T18:32:00.005-07:00

Summer took a while to launch here in Nelson, BC Canada...with a long, wet and cool spring, which seemed to bleed into mid-July. But finally August came in with trumpets blaring and it's been mostly sunny, clear and filled with beauty.

Our home was also filled with visitors from Australia, Vancouver, Victoria, Ottawa, Gabriola Island and Japan. Loved every one of them, but also enjoyed the odd quiet day, with the canoe calling, playtime with the neighbors on the beach, a good novel or a few...and the feeling of 'summer' that brings back the Halcyon days of childhood.

Tomorrow feels like the first day of the year.

Blossoms just outside front door

Ready to paddle?

Restored Streetcar #23 - running through Lakeside Park, Nelson

Seeking peace...through poetry

2011-07-09T11:20:00.001-07:00

Nazareth

REVENGE
translated by Peter Cole, Yahya Hijazi, and Gabriel Levin

At times … I wish
I could meet in a duel
the man who killed my father
and razed our home,
expelling me
into
a narrow country.
And if he killed me,
I’d rest at last,
and if I were ready—
I would take my revenge!

But if it came to light,
when my rival appeared,
that he had a mother
waiting for him,
or a father who’d put
his right hand over
the heart’s place in his chest
whenever his son was late
even by just a quarter-hour
for a meeting they’d set—
then I would not kill him,
even if I could.

Likewise … I
would not murder him
if it were soon made clear
that he had a brother or sisters
who loved him and constantly longed to see him.
Or if he had a wife to greet him
and children who
couldn’t bear his absence
and whom his gifts would thrill.
Or if he had
friends or companions,
neighbors he knew
or allies from prison
or a hospital room,
or classmates from his school …
asking about him
and sending him regards.

*

But if he turned
out to be on his own—
cut off like a branch from a tree—
without a mother or father,
with neither a brother nor sister,
wifeless, without a child,
and without kin or neighbors or friends,
colleagues or companions,
then I’d add not a thing to his pain
within that aloneness—
not the torment of death,
and not the sorrow of passing away.
Instead I’d be content
to ignore him when I passed him by
on the street—as I
convinced myself
that paying him no attention
in itself was a kind of revenge.

Nazareth
April 15, 2006

Answering the call to new work...

2011-05-10T16:37:00.003-07:00

If you are on facebook you probably know that I'm still around... I've been pulled to the dark side of short messages, inane postings, quickly uploaded photos and peeking into my kids lives (and their friends and their friends as it turns out).

I recently won the job lottery and left my 10 year consulting business to work as the Director, Community Engagement for the Columbia Basin Trust, an organization that has a large endowment and delivers a huge range of benefits to the Columbia River Basin (with the interest).

Check out the My Basin pages to see the lovely and special place that I live and work.

Great blog from China

2011-02-23T09:04:00.003-08:00

A young friend from Nelson, Niko Bell, is living and studying in China. He's spent a lot of time there since high school and his blog is an interesting array of photos, stories and insights. Oh...and he's a great writer. Check out The Lin Blog

Chinese Village - photo by Niko Bell

2011-02-19T12:41:00.003-08:00

Re-posted because I like it!

Banksy

2011-02-18T08:26:00.004-08:00

Good old Banksy - ever imaginative and always a point (or two)

Two things - unrelated

2011-02-12T19:13:00.014-08:00

First, I want to acknowledge the global shift that is being unleashed courtesy of the young people in Egypt. It's so inspiring to see people power lead to change...now my deep hope is that the change that follows will lead to a better Egypt. Indicators of that over time? - free elections, robust parties/debate and a strong parliament - human rights on the ground, including the rule of law and more freedom of expression - a focus on an economy that benefits people, not a few people siphoning off billions to their own pockets.

That will all come (I hope). For now - yippee!!! Amnesty's call for rights here.

Second - we spent most of January in La Manzanilla Mexico and here are a few photos from the wonderful trip:

We rescued some baby tortugas from the surf and released them safely...

Anna enjoying the garden at our house...and something funny.

The (as you can see) active volcano just outside the city of Colima

The main square in Colima, Mexico - a delightful town with beauty, history, colonial architecture, warm people and orange trees lining the streets...and almost no foreign tourists...

This lovely grandma was buried by her family, to her delight (La Manzanilla)

Just another sunset from the beach at La Manzanilla (much like Canada in January as you can see)

Best of the season to you!

2010-12-16T11:08:00.007-08:00

Christmas Market in Gendarmen Platz (from above)

Checkpoint Charlie (for background, read John LeCarre)

The war memorial Neue Wache houses the beautiful and moving sculpture Mother and her dead son, by the Berlin artist Käthe Kollwitz. The sculpture is directly set under an oculus and is exposed to the weather, and symbolizes the suffering of civilians during the war.

Napoleon and I both stood by the Brandenburger Tor (Brandenberg Gate).
Only one of us never went to prison for his ambitions...

My name is Gary and I'm a recovering blogger. I used to blog once or twice a week and stay in touch with my blogging compatriots in other ways. Now I'm doing other things - including I confess, using Facebook almost daily.

I still look at your blogs now and then - you know who you are!

I was in Berlin for the first time, in early December for some Amnesty work (volunteer).

Above are a few pics from the visit. My impressions from a skim-visit to Berlin? It's a multi-layered place, with historical and real ghosts swirling through its subways and with the blown snow between the attractive buildings.

The bottom layer is a cold village, huddled in the swampland along the River Spree. Above that one senses the blare of Prussian trumpets, the rustling of nation-building and snorting horses. The turmoil of the early 20th century piled on top of that quickly - with the horrors of war, the breeding ground for fascism and the freewheeling good times of music, cabaret and delicious sin! Then Berlin was so connected to the insanity that killed 60 million worldwide...and the murder of so many Jews and others... The 3rd Reich and its horrors are there - it's inescapable. This is followed immediately by four decades of the cold war, with the wall, the spies, the wire, the women with beards winning Olympic medals - the interesting craziness of it all. Down with the wall - Trabis now free to roam, and a new Germany forms as the top layer. And even that Germany is not simple - 25% of the city are immigrants or immigrant children, it's a mecca for gay culture, it has 160 museums...high fashion, astounding architecture and business all stroll hand in hand with graffiti covered walls, artist squats and underground music. It's the post-old-new-past-post-future Europe!

Did I like it? You bet I did...

11:00 on the 11th day of the 11th month...

2010-11-11T10:14:00.004-08:00

Keith Douglas

(Thanks to John B. for these pieces...and photos)

Vergissmeinnicht

Three weeks gone and the combatants gone
returning over the nightmare ground
we found the place again, and found
the soldier sprawling in the sun.

The frowning barrel of his gun
overshadowing. As we came on
that day, he hit my tank with one
like the entry of a demon.

Look. Here in the gunpit spoil
the dishonoured picture of his girl
who has put: Steffi. Vergissmeinnicht.
in a copybook gothic script.

We see him almost with content,
abased, and seeming to have paid
and mocked at by his own equipment
that's hard and good when he's decayed.

But she would weep to see today
how on his skin the swart flies move;
the dust upon the paper eye
and the burst stomach like a cave.

For here the lover and killer are mingled
who had one body and one heart.
And death who had the soldier singled
has done the lover mortal hurt.

Keith Douglas, 1920-44
(this poem was written while Douglas was a tank officer in the North African campaign;
he was killed shortly after D-Day, 1944; Vergissmeinnicht means “forget-me-not”);

Isaac Rosenberg (self portrait)

Break of Day in the Trenches

The darkness crumbles away
It is the same old druid Time as ever,
Only a live thing leaps my hand,
A queer sardonic rat,
As I pull the parapet's poppy
To stick behind my ear.
Droll rat, they would shoot you if they knew
Your cosmopolitan sympathies,
Now you have touched this English hand
You will do the same to a German
Soon, no doubt, if it be your pleasure
To cross the sleeping green between.
It seems you inwardly grin as you pass
Strong eyes, fine limbs, haughty athletes,
Less chanced than you for life,
Bonds to the whims of murder,
Sprawled in the bowels of the earth,
The torn fields of France.
What do you see in our eyes
At the shrieking iron and flame
Hurled through still heavens?
What quaver -what heart aghast?
Poppies whose roots are in men's veins
Drop, and are ever dropping;
But mine in my ear is safe,
Just a little white with the dust.
Isaac Rosenberg, 1890-1918

(like Douglas, Rosenberg was a visual artist as well as a writer)

Fall is rising...

2010-10-15T09:12:00.006-07:00

It's autumn in the Kootenays. That means shorter days, low-slanted sharp sunlight, crisp loud air and the process of decay and decline in the natural world. Here are a few photos of these changes underway. It's a melancholy time in some ways...as it feels like we are slipping towards slumber, darkness and a form of 'temporary death'. Maybe it's because melancholy cheers me up by pulling me inside myself...or maybe it's just beautiful - I love this time of year.

On another fall note - a bear or bears are eating the remaining bits of fruit in the yard at night. We hear them, find piles of almost steaming scat in the morning (looking very fruity) and there are broken branches beneath an apple and purple plum tree. Now to see one and take his or her photo! (But not up close...)

These are really fun guys! (apologies offered...for such a bad pun)

Kokanee Creek parking lot rascal

A walk through a section of old-growth forest

Anna tree-hugger

Stump monster - taken from directly above

Kokanee salmon spawning - this species used to reach the ocean in their life cycle (and were huge), but for decades dams have prevented that - they now live their lives in Kootenay Lake and spawn to their birth-streams in the third year of life - turning from silver to the red and green in the photo of this soon-to-spawn-and-die fishy couple. This channel had several thousand this fall.

Derek Sivers on starting a movement

2010-09-17T12:34:00.003-07:00

Here is your 3 minute fun for the day - pretty insightful too...

Do you think there is truth in this?

All Sailors Safe and Happy...Deep Men of the Deep 2010

2010-09-07T08:40:00.010-07:00

The 2010 sailing on Kootenay Lake has sadly come and gone. All hands (and feet) have returned safely ashore. One of the heads, the bald one, has some scabs - why do they make the ceilings so damn low in boats?

The weather was perfect (hot sunny days and cool, starry beyond belief nights). Deckhands Gary and Mark bunked on the roof of the Cameronian, listening to the lapping waves and seeing the pristine shore and sparkling water by moonlight. One of them snored loudly...

There were hikes to waterfalls (see below), excellent cuisine (see below), euchre games (if Gary is not your partner, you win), martinis in the afternoon...HUGE fish to catch (see below) and even HUGER stories to doubt (er..tell). For those who know the lake, we nosed ashore for nights at Coffee Creek, Sawmill Bay and Campbell Bay.

Lots of burdens in life. Lots of worries to carry for any thinking person. Lots of duties and busy-ness. But not for these days on the lake.

View from the wheelhouse

Moonlit waters of Kootenay Lake

Mark indicates all is good...

You had to be there to see how large it really was...(not my foot!)

Powder Creek - one stage of the falls

Pesto a la Chef Ames

All good ships have their traditions - some include olives on little toothpicks...

Interesting bit of history on Kootenay Lake

2010-09-01T12:22:00.002-07:00

In the 1950's a group of Quakers moved from the USA to carve out a community at the north end of Kootenay Lake. Argenta continues to be a place of peace and beauty.

Here's a small taste of a film being made about these principled folks...

Deep Men of the Deep

2010-08-23T10:13:00.004-07:00

Shore leave...berthed for the night in 2008

Shore of Kootenay Lake

For 13 years I helped organize the annual Gentleman's Cruise-A-Palooza, which placed 10 men in a big vessel on the waters of Kootenay Lake, one of the most pristine and beautiful on the planet. Last year we toasted the final Palooza, choosing to end on a positive note (many fun years & all sailors alive, well and mostly sober).

Well, a few hardy deck hands decided they weren't finished yet, so 4 of us sail today on the Deep Men of the Deep journey. There will be eagles, mountains, deep glacial water to swim in, fish eluding my line...and euchre (if you are from Ontario you will understand). Our vessel is the Cameronian, of Kaslo Shipyards.

Final days and nights of summer. Deep men. Deep lake. Shallow fun.

Humor IS a strong form of activism -

2010-08-15T10:54:00.003-07:00

It's time to tackle ignorance with something that can't be beat - laughter.

Enjoy this video. A large screen will let you read the witty signs more easily. Don't be fooled by bigots and hate mongers. Remember what Jesus had to say about gays, " ...... ."

Interesting blog on political life in Canada

2010-08-06T10:14:00.003-07:00

The Honorable Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau - shy as ever

Kim Leaman, from New Brunswick has an interesting blog on progressive Canadian politics. If that's on your radar, then have a look.

Canadians for a Liberal Democracy

2010-07-30T09:57:00.002-07:00

If you're on facebook, please check out this page, particularly if you are also Canadian, planning to live in Canada or wanting to understand Canadian Politics.

If you're not on facebook, you can still take the poll and help us understand the best way to get rid of the Harper government in Canada.

Humans and nature

2010-07-28T09:37:00.007-07:00

Barge landing and log sorting pier on Kootenay Lake, unused for decades (click to enlarge)

Mooring posts from another era

Recently abandoned property on the lake - home for 60 years of a school teacher and family...

The book, The World Without Us, by Alan Weisman takes a look at what would happen on our planet if human beings just disappeared. It's not a speculation on how or why that might happen, it simply looks at a range of interesting topics and explores them (through science, interviews and really interesting stories.)

What would happen to New York City (think collapsing subways as rivers take over underground)? What would happen to cats and dogs (think feral dogs winning the day)? What would be our 'ancient ruins' in the future (think plastic)?

I've given several copies away because it was fun, interesting... and of course, a little bleak. The bottom line however, is that the world would evolve along quite nicely without us, thanks! The songbirds won't miss you (or me) - not a single songs worth of us.

We are an integral part of the evolving nature of matter and life. We don't own or rule. We don't even really have much more going on than other creatures do. And of course, as with all matter, I will someday become the basic elements I am built from. (99% of the mass of the human body is made up of the six elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus.)

So what? More compassion for our own naked and sometimes sad species wouldn't hurt. More humility wouldn't hurt. Less separation from other species and inanimate objects wouldn't hurt. More enjoyment of all of it as one system, not divided into arbitrary ghettos wouldn't hurt.

I offer the photos above, taken on a recent paddle on the lake - human and nature - or just nature.? Beauty/ugly? Or just what it is?

Paddling, summer living...and thinking

2010-07-25T10:48:00.008-07:00

These little wonders are emptying our feeder every 2 or 3 days.

From working in the north. This is one of Hazelton's 'suburbs' - and the 2-milers really are special...

Kootenay Lake in the summer...calm mornings (3 photos).

Summer is fully here in the interior of BC. Hot days, cool nights, eagles, ospreys, bears, deer and hummingbirds. Cold beer and Strongbow cider...meals on the patio. Novels.

Okay, I'm working a bit too, and I have this nagging feeling that while I enjoy all this, our Prime Minister and Conservative government are quietly dismantling the social democracy and caring country that I live in.

- Cutting environmental regulations.
- Scrapping the long census form.
- Building more prisons to get tough on crime (as it reaches the lowest rates in 30 years).
- Ignoring (indeed blocking) global action on climate change.
- Ramping up the tar sand development and allowing deep well exploration on the Beaufort Sea.
- Ignoring the court order to do something about child soldier Omar Khadr (languishing for 6 years in Guantanamo Bay illegal prison)
- Refusing to sign the International Convention on the Rights of Indigenous People
- Holding back funds for international maternal health (if abortion is included in the work)
- Getting cozier with Israel while ignoring the human rights of the Palestinians

Oh Jeez, this is making me want to do two things very clearly:

1. Grab my novel (Nikolski), my towel and a beer and wander down the yard to the beach.
2. Inspire all Canadians to vote for anyone but a Conservative in the next election.

Enjoy summer! (Unless you're in Australia or South Africa, then enjoy winter...)

Dear Doctor Laura...Can I buy a Canadian?

2010-06-02T10:01:00.002-07:00

In her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative:

Dear Dr. Laura: Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination ... End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your adoring fan.

James M. Kauffman, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus, Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education University of Virginia

(It would be a damn shame if we couldn't own a Canadian :)

Dennis Hopper - Rest In Peace

2010-05-31T17:05:00.002-07:00

Actor and 60's icon Dennis Hopper died this week. He was a true character, with all kind of trouble in his crazy, creative life.

According to Rolling Stone magazine, he was "one of Hollywood's most notorious drug addicts," for 20 years. He spent much of the 1970s and early 1980s living as "an outcast" in a small town he purchased after the success of Easy Rider. Hopper was also "notorious for his troubled relationships with women," including Michelle Phillips, who divorced him after less than two weeks of marriage. Hopper was married five times in total — he was in the process of divorcing Victoria Duffy, his wife of 14 years, at the time of his death — and is survived by four children. (Wikipedia)

Here's an odd piece of history. Dennis reading Kipling's poem IF, on a show hosted by (an also young) Johnny Cash. It's good...honest.

Bye Dennis.

Banksy in Toronto

2010-05-18T08:22:00.005-07:00

0% interest in people

Will work for idiots..

Even though we probably won't know it if we see him on the streets of Toronto, there is little doubt that the UK graffiti artist has been in town.

It's not easy to be subversive in this FAUX News and celebrity-as-hero, entertainment-as-information world. It's not easy to voice a challenge to the way things are (Market=God). But bless his little rascally heart, Banksy tries.

Off to Hazelton

2010-05-12T17:03:00.005-07:00

I've been working hard lately... perhaps too hard. It has something to do with taking about three months off work last year and traveling to New York, Vancouver, Hawaii and Australia.

I'm off soon to work in the Hazelton area of BC for a couple of weeks of community engagement work for the health system. This is Gitxsan and Wet'suwet'en country - very beautiful and quite remote (16 hour drive for me). I stay in the r0 year old residence of the United Church run hospital. I'm really looking forward to long days (literally) and interesting people.

I miss my blogging buddies, but am not gone...just busy and drifting a little.

Does anyone else find their online time being pulled to the nefarious Facebook from their blog. That's where my kids and hundreds of my acquaintances (even if called friends) hang out.

Bulkley River from the one-lane Hagwilget Bridge - 262 feet up

Hagwilget Canyon - Bulkley River

Welcome Aboard Flight 2010!

2010-04-09T15:45:00.008-07:00

I fly too much (on airplanes that is, there can never be too many dream-flights, even if for some odd reason I'm usually wearing only my jockey shorts when I soar...)

Last year I think I flew about 30 times. A round trip from Vancouver to Toronto generates about 1200 pounds of CO2 (my share that is). Our lovely vacation in Australia chalked up another 4,600 lbs each. Just to compare, driving about 15,000 kilometres in my Subaru Outback shoves about 11,200 lbs of CO2 into our collective faces. Look here if you want to do your own calculations.

Okay, I did pay some carbon offsets, but still...

I have a friend who is mourning Mexican vacations because she plans to never fly again. Me? I am trying to be more sensible, reducing the number of flights and paying carbon offsets.

Just for fun, have a look at large aircraft flying around planet earth in one 24 hour period. And have a look at Europe and North America if you doubt those who say we're the fat cats in this very shared atmosphere.

It's April

2010-04-02T13:26:00.003-07:00

Is anyone else alarmed at how quickly 2010 is speeding by? I've read that as we get older, the past stretches out more and more slowly and the future flies by more and more quickly. Then... well we all know how it ends.

Time is elusive, and I know this is all about perception of time. As a child, there wasn't too much to see looking over my memory-shoulder and it seemed to take so long for the next grade in school to arrive, for a birthday to come... for the dentist to finish his nastiness in my mouth.

Now, I look back and wow - it goes all the way back to the pre-computer and pre-space age. I wore a Davy Crockett cap and watched Buck Rogers on the big screen. I lived in France only a decade after World War II ended (playing in bunkers and picking up souvenirs). That's a long, slow way back.

Now I can almost smell 2011.

Not disturbed...just noting.

Speaking of dentists, are you one of those who hasn't seen this yet?

This and that...

2010-03-22T09:05:00.002-07:00

This

I'm very pleased for my American cousins. You have a new health care plan for the nation. It doesn't measure up to any of your developed country friends' plans (universal coverage and a coordinated system), but it will cover millions without health care; it taxes the rich to help pay for it; and it will cover people more easily. Perhaps more importantly (to me at least), it shows that an Obama administration can make things happen - even in the face of Faux News, fear tactics, outright lies, communist-baiting propaganda...and Big Money. Go Barack!

That
If this OK Go video doesn't make you smile, then you need to use your new health care system and get some sort of pills...

Six or seven minutes of inspiration anyone?

2010-03-05T10:16:00.006-08:00

In a world of busy-ness, complexity... and no lack of problems to see through every glance - beauty and community go a long way to remembering something deeper (and being happy).

This public guerrilla art event erupted in the market in Valencia, Spain. It's worth watching through to the end, as it builds and the audience is wonderful. May you be inspired too...

(La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi)

Banksy at it again...

2010-02-25T15:23:00.002-08:00

Graffiti artist Banksy left this one along the banks of Regent's Canal in London

Climate change deniers have gone the gamut now - false information claiming there is no human induced climate change; false information claiming there is a significant debate that there is no human-induced climate change; false information claiming there might be human-induced climate change, but we can't do anything about it... and it's not so bad. And now they are doing anything possible to sow doubt in the public mind, even as the science moves ever further in proving how dire it is.

Good effort climate change deniers! You get an A+ for delaying action, commitment and for seeding confusion. Now if only we can charge you with crimes against humanity and the planet -  and put you in prison for a decade or two...

I highly recommend a read of Climate Cover-Up by James Hoggan for anyone who thinks I'm over-stating or over-reacting to this. Funded by energy corporations and right wing think tanks - the climate change denial business has been hard at it for about 20 years now.

Being Blind in China

2010-02-23T09:19:00.004-08:00

My friend Bill, also from Nelson, has moved to China. He is living there because he wants to experience it and because, as a blind person, he has some interesting projects he is working on. His project site and his blog can be found here. If you feel like having a look, please do. Here's a snippet from an email I received from Bill today:

Happy New Year!

It’s been a while since the last letter. I guess it was the other New
Year, the one after Christmas. The ‘festive season’ felt very
strange. While the supermarkets are full of Kenny G renditions of
carols, and the hotels have huge fake trees covered in lights, the
whole things is a very thin overlay.

And then boom (literally) it’s Spring Festival. The fireworks are
unimaginable. It is a roar like cannon fire, heavy mortar fire,
semi-automatic weaponry, and rifle cracks, and it’s forever. By
midnight New Year’s Eve all you can do is release into it and let the
noise do whatever it’s supposed to do. Interestingly, I think it has
actually done something to me. I feel emptied out. I had a week’s
break, but I don’t think that’s the operative factor. My whole
relationship with noise and sound has been changing as I live in this
intense and complicated soundscape.

This... and that

2010-02-15T14:46:00.007-08:00

THIS

I don't know if you watched the Olympic opening ceremonies. I missed most of it and sadly, missed slam poet Shane Koyczan recite his piece "We are more". For those who might like it, here it is (not the Olympic version, but same poem).

THAT

If you watch the Olympics you'll also know that BC is experiencing one of the mildest winters on record. We're usually still shoveling snow to get out of our drive, wearing toques and mittens to go to the store, keeping the heat up and the flannel PJs on. Well, these photos are from this week. Climate change in our micro-region predicts warmer winters, drier summers and within a few decades - avocado growing seasons. We're also going to get more floods, more forest fires and a rapid change of ecology. For now, I'll accept warm weather canoeing in February... (Click to see larger.)

View of the property we live on (little house up the hill, just peeking past the bigger one)

February 2010 - The Frozen North??

Olympic Fever

2010-01-30T11:38:00.009-08:00

Okay - a confession first - I've never been a big follower of the Olympics. I'm not a sport-cynic, or a they-aren't-amateurs purist... or even simply appalled at the wealth and control of the self-appointing International Olympic Committee (although it is appalling). I just never got into the games much.

I did get excited when Vancouver (near here) got the 2010 Winter Games, because I've known for some decades that my only shot at an Olympic medal would be in curling - and this might be my chance. I was a high school champion and it's the only Olympic sport I can think of that usually includes chatting, drinking between games, and welcomes overweight middle-aged athletes. And when they shout to their team mates, they scream "HARD!  ! HURRY HARD!! HAAARDERRRR!"  Which is just plain funny.

I'll probably catch some of it on TV, and I do love to watch ski jumping (flying!) and the biathlon (skiing AND shooting). But some of the things that gall me about these games include:

- Corporate  sponsorships are so huge that they have branded everything. When the torch celebration, blew through Nelson - the COKE RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) stage and sound system and free light-up COKE drinks were delightfully global spirited. The Vancouver Library was ordered to cover up logos of non-sponsors on any plaques,  donated items or other publicly visible places. No PEPSI donated computers allowed! Not in Olympic City. Oh yes, and COKE flew a bunch of staff up to Canada from Atlanta - so they could get turns running the torch in BC.

- Our provincial and federal governments are spending about $6 billion on the games (yes, the B-word).  That's at a time when schools are closing, the arts have been cut by 40% in BC, health care needs an injection... and homelessness is on the rise. In fact, school sports have been cut.

- Security for the athletes, IOC gang, politicians, and corporate sponsors is huge. Our bill will be $900 million. There are several thousand Canadian troops in town supporting the RCMP, Vancouver police and no doubt, our little spy service, called CSIS.

- Tickets for the "people's games" are a little on the dear side. The remaining seats for events like, say a Belarus - Belgian hockey game might go for as little as $75 to $400 a seat. The gold medal game has tickets, on the official site last week, that top out at $50,000 a pair. (Is he making this stuff up? No, but to be fair, if any ordinary good tickets were available, they were only about $750 each.)

All this to say that many athletes are amazing and worth seeing; the opening ceremonies will be spectacular (even if the orchestra is 'lip-synching' the instruments to recorded music); and the feeling of pride in winning will be palpable.  I'm personally pulling for Ghana's one man Olympic team.

But there are all those other things that sour it  for me.

More bread, less circuses please.

First anniversary of "Close Guantanamo Bay within one year"

2010-01-22T14:38:00.003-08:00

One of President Obama's promises a year ago was to close the illegal US detention centre in Guantanamo Bay Cuba. Of course there are challenges in doing that, but rather than overcome those challenges, we're getting more of the same at Guantanamo (a Justice Department-led task force released its outrageous  recommendation to continue holding nearly 50 Guantanamo detainees  indefinitely).  If you'd like to learn more and/or send a message in support of an alternative approach, have a look at this Amnesty action.  

I know it's tough to do the right thing in a country where the wrong thing is the default position - in a nation where fear still trumps rights, where the bible is the handbook for many, where information is distorted and where fear rules (did I mention that bit twice?).

Yet a stand has to be taken - on human rights, on climate change, on sending food not guns into Haiti...and so on. If not me, who? If not now, when?

This week's graffiti

2010-01-16T13:46:00.003-08:00

Calling all little fishes!

This is from Madison, Wisconsin. I like smart graffiti.

A few photos from Australia

2010-01-15T10:08:00.012-08:00

It's been weeks since we sat on the beach at Manly, since I ate fish and chips with chicken salt and rode the waves back to Sydney on the green and yellow harbour ferry. In fact, it's winter here and dark way too much of the time. No sunscreen required here. No vitamin D provided. Am I grumpy? Maybe...

Here are a sampling of photos to spark my memory...and perhaps entertain you briefly as you move along through 2010. "No worries" as the Aussies say.

I 'inherited' Lucas's hat this summer - it loves to travel and here's the proof.

Melbourne has a great tram system, including free downtown line. Photo reflection.

This little stoner is tired and spends 20 or so hours a day sleeping. The rest of the time he sits around buzzed, eating only eucalyptus leaves.

"Whoa man! Is that ANOTHER eucalyptus tree I see over there?"

View of two of the Twelve Apostles (one HAS to be Peter, the rock...) This is along the Great Ocean Road, on the south coast. Three hundred kilometres of pristine beauty - and gawking drivers and hikers.

We went to Australia for a wedding, which was wonderful - in Pacific Palms on the east coast. We lived on Bluey's Beach for a week, a few feet up the hill from where this photo was taken. By 7:00 am I'd had coffee, walked the beach, and got 5 years worth of vitamin D, converted from Canadian winter days.

At the end of the dirt road, not far from Pacific Palms, on a one-man homemade golf course (30 members) - that's where the roos are hanging out, including this little bald Joey and his mom. (Click to see larger.)

Giant fig tree - in the Wingham nature walk, inland from the east coast. Moments earlier the intrepid traveler almost stepped on a mullet (no the bad haircut, the lizard). Also spent time avoiding the Giant Stinging Tree and the poop from above, where several hundred thousand flying fox bats call home. Note: pretty much everyone in the 100 year old Australian Hotel and pub in Wingham, say "G'die Mite!" (translation: "Good Day Mate" - and each one reminds me a little of Steve Irwin.

Hiking the rain forest trail in the Blue Mountains, east of Sydney. Incredible ancient feeling and very sore legs and feet after hours of up and down. Check out the Giant Staircase (861 steps down and one weird train ride back up). You really earn your pie (ask any Australian about pie...mmmm).

December in the Sydney gardens - Merry Christmas! (Now let's get in the shade and drink a few...)

Oh Banksy!

2010-01-04T14:36:00.005-08:00

Some years ago I used to post graffiti every week or so, after scanning the internet to find good stuff. Banksy, the elusive British guerrilla street artist, invariably showed up as the most interesting. Well, he's still busy and these are two of my favourites.

By the way, if you like this, you'll probably also enjoy Seraphine's blog, with its daily dose of wonderful comic art and social comment.

Click on them to see photos larger...

A Canadian Sort of Sign

2009-12-26T11:46:00.005-08:00

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it and may the last week of the decade be a fine one for you - filled with meaning, love, intellectual stimulation and not too many hangovers.

Australia has so many insects, snakes, sea life and plants that can injure or kill you. - look up the Giant Stinging Tree or Brown Snake (this video is very Steve Irwin-like) or Blue-ringed Octopus...)

And we here in Canada have our bears to be afraid of. As in Australia, the actual numbers of injuries and death from nature encounters are tiny compared to just about any other risk, especially driving on the wrong side of the road. Ask me.

Enjoy this warning sign (click to enlarge & read all the way through)

Climate Change, Canada...and Embarassment

2009-12-16T15:00:00.005-08:00

Yikes! Just back on Canadian soil after a month in Australia (photos to follow and there was a second visit to Lindsay too)...

I was disappointed with how much credibility the Australian media gives to climate change doubters, sceptics and dinosaurs. Of course, if you scratch the surface, experts are usually directly connected to the oil/coal industry in some way. If you doubt me on that, have a look at this book sometime. In any case, their Liberal opposition is now led by Tony Abbott, an avowed sceptic, surrounded by a gaggle of like-minded brontosauruses.

Anyhow, I hope the Aussies stick with their PM Kevin Rudd, who gets it.

Meanwhile, our own Stevie Harper and team are well on the way to ruining Canada's reputation. We're winning Fossil Awards like they're going out of style - in fact 500 environmental NGOs have awarded Canada 'Fossil of the Year'. Tar Sands and petro-corps over grandchildren and food. Smart.

Our approach to Copenhagen could be summarized as "no deal is the best deal" or "make the poor pay" or "we miss George W. and the good old days".

I've been signing petitions (such as this one) but am inclined to think the best petition is the next election, when we need to send the Conservatives for a time -out.  Maybe they can put on their gum boots and go to the tar sands and sequester some carbon...

Lindsay and Gary in Australia

2009-11-25T03:02:00.006-08:00

Lindsay and Gary in Healsville Sanctuary

Can you see the audience in the tree behind?

Today, Lindsay and Anne hosted Gary and Anna to the Yarra Valley area of Melbourne, where we visited the Healsville Sanctuary. Melbourne is on a flood plain, but the area to the northeast where Lindsay resides, in Eltham is hilly and attracts artists, nature lovers and wine aficionados. Further out is the Yarra Valley, renowned for wine, beauty and in recent years, bush fires which wreaked some devastation. We enjoyed seeing dozens of Australia's 'only-here' species today, from the platypus swimming in its display to kangaroos sitting on the hillsides and had a wonderful dinner in a hilltop winery restaurant.

In the land down undah...

2009-11-22T02:15:00.003-08:00

Somehow November 17th disappeared! It was November 16th as we flew toward Australia from Vancouver and the next instant it was November 18th. I pointed out to Anna that it would certainly be the cheapest day of our vacation...but we were both alarmed at its lost.

Fortunately when we fly 15 hours home in December, we'll leave Sydney on the night of the 16th and arrive in Vancouver on the morning of the same day.

Go figure! (Okay, I do understand, but it's still a marvel.)

Photos and stories to follow soon. Meanwhile if you have a chance, take the ferry from Circular Quay in Sydney to Manly. Eat some fish and chips, wander the beach, jump into the Pacific and at dusk hang out under the Norfolk pines as thousands of Rainbow Lorikeets make a racket and settle down for the night.

For those of you interested, I get the pleasure this week of meeting Lindsay Lobe (and wife) - in PERSON. That is more amazing than losing November 17th after all.

350 on the beach

2009-10-27T20:48:00.002-07:00

Well, a group of local teens managed to get about 300 of us out for a march through the city to the park, then a photo in the dark (from the bridge). Anna and I are two of the little candle lights at the bottom of the '5'.

Does it matter? Damn right it does. We all need to act so that we're acting... and so that our leaders begin to follow.

Oct 24 Day of Action

2009-10-22T17:11:00.005-07:00

You probably have heard of the 350 campaign, but if not, here's the poop...

350.org is an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis--the solutions that science and justice demand. Our mission is to inspire the world to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis—to create a new sense of urgency and of possibility for our planet. Our focus is on the number 350--as in parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere. But 350 is more than a number--it's a symbol of where we need to head as a planet.

Check out this grassroots movement and do something on October 24th if you can. This song is inspirational too (to me at least).

Happy to hear your comments fellow earthlings...

Sri Lanka situation desperate ...

2009-10-20T14:32:00.007-07:00

Tamils in Sri Lankan Camp

If you followed the Sri Lankan conflict at all you'll know that the bloody internal war has finally ended, with a military victory by the government over the Tamil Tigers (and others). You may not know that there are internment camps now, with more than 250,000 Tamil people, including women and children. Ostensibly in place to sort out the 'bad guys' they are putting thousands of innocent people at risk in horrible conditions.

Check this petition out if you have a few moments (Unlock the Camps).

On a related note, a ship with what might be 76 Tamil men aboard, was intercepted before illegally landing on Canada's west coast. The government is crowing about 'not being an easy target for illegal arrivals' and 'being tough on these queue jumpers' blah blah blah. While we don't want economic migrants or other illegal immigrants arriving this way, here is a NOTE TO MINISTER:

Refugees with a well-founded fear of persecution are not queue jumpers and don't have the opportunity to immigrate as others. They arrive illegally sometimes because they are fleeing for safety. International laws protect them.

These men may or may not have legitimate asylum claims, but let's not be quick to close our sacred doors in fear, and ignore our obligation to review their cases fairly. And for the record... Canada can handle more refugees as well as more immigrants.

Other than our Aboriginal neighbours, that's how we all arrived (or our ancestors).

Further north...further west

2009-10-04T14:31:00.010-07:00

I'm now on Haida Gwaii, a wonderful other-worldly group of islands in the north Pacific. It truly feels like another land, physically and culturally. Here are a few shots, including from the float plane as we flew over here from the mainland.

On an interesting and exciting note, when I arrived at the B&B in Masset, one of the two other guests was David Suzuki. All Canadians will know who I mean and perhaps others as well. He's a renowned scientist, broadcaster (The Nature of Things on television for e.g.) and ardent and annoying-to-those-in-power environmentalist. He gave a great speech in the local church hall and another one over beer back in the B&B.

Dock in Prince Rupert - I got the co-pilot seat

Islands in Hecate Strait - over to Haida Gwaii

Up close on the rainforest floor - I like this one

Old growth forest floor, near site of the Golden Spruce

Looking over the 30 mile North Beach, from the top of Tow Hill (Haida Gwaii)

Northern Exposure...

2009-09-27T15:41:00.008-07:00

I've been traveling too quickly in Northern BC to enjoy the sights enough, as I'm facilitating public meetings once or twice a day and moving between towns daily. The meetings are about the health care system here and are nothing like the tea party meetings my American cousins have to put up with. People here are vocal about how they want things to work, but also appreciative of what they have. (Honestly guys, it is a nice feeling when everyone can get health care with no hassles - from a doc visit through to brain surgery or cancer treatment. No request for money. No pre-authorization. The US is the only developed country in the world without universal health care... but I digress.)

So, meetings aside, here are some shots of sights in the past week. I've seen totem poles in Kitwanga, bears along the Skeena River, pick -up trucks as common as trees and had coffee-swill and one of the best cups of java ever (Mercedes Beans in Hazelton). It's 500,000 square kilometres of land with less than 400,0o0 people. Do the the math...

Next week I'm on Haida Gwaii which will call for more camera action.

Me at the old Hudson Bay Trading Post in Fort St. James. She's an actress, I'm for real...

Gitksan Wet Suwetan people fishing at Moricetown Canyon (see the guy to the left)

The Bulkley River... wayyyy down below me - and I'm leaning over the rail (see below)

One-lane Hagwilget Bridge over the Bulkley River (see above to see below)

Mount something - one of the Seven Sisters near Terrace

From the train window at dusk

North is a state of mind

2009-09-21T10:17:00.007-07:00

Click to enlarge ( I live in Nelson in the SE)

I'm back on the road in Northern British Columbia again. This time I'm visiting 18 communities, doing health care consultation with folks . I'll have the camera on the ready and post some photos soon. Last week, while driving at night, a grizzly bear bolted across the road immediately in front of the car - racing along at top grizzly speed. (Sample locations from east to west: Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Prince George, Burns Lake, Smithers, Terrace, Rupert, and over to that island off the west coast.)

North is a relative term. Many people think Canada is in the far north, but almost all its population is further south than Maine or much of UK and Western Europe. We huddle along the 49th parallel with our cousins in the U.S. Many people in Canada call this area I am in now 'the north', yet it's less than midway up.

I worked above the Arctic Circle for six months once - on Baffin Island and the mainland. Now that WAS north. There was six weeks of daylight in the summer and six weeks of total darkness in the winter. (That's when I quit the job and flew home on a jet that landed in the frigid dark morning to carry only me and the flight attendant, wearing pink hot pants and a little bellhop cap - her, not me. This was a long time ago, but even then it was very surreal.)

Anyhow, I'm here, reporting for blogging duty.

Hugfest Nelson

2009-08-31T08:24:00.004-07:00

The video clip below is a few months old. Hugfest is one aspect of the work of a group called Inspire Nelson. It's an approach to get people involved in positive action in small ways... that add up. And to track those ways.

The theory is simple - whether it's climate change, human rights, social issues (dare I say 'health care in the US'), it can feel overwhelming and we can tune out or give up taking action. Yest in many many small ways we can not only make a measurable improvement, we can change how we feel about the issue - from powerlessness to hope and energy.

Organizations and other towns have picked up the software and approach and are replicating this project.

Have a look if you want.   Check out the RESULTS tab.

The video is amateurish, but fun, and you get to see my main street at least a little. Hope you enjoy it and rush to the nearest human and hug them (with their consent of course...)

Oh yeah, I got two free hugs that day - good ones!

Still here...

2009-08-17T11:13:00.014-07:00

Does anyone else feel guilty about having a blog...and blogging friends, but not using it much sometimes?

Maybe it's not guilt, maybe more a niggling sense that I'm letting someone down. Anyhow, I still lurk around your sites when I have a chance and now and then I'm back with a post. Forgive me. Visit us here in Nelson and I'll make it up with a nice dinner and canoe trip on the lake. Really.

A few updates via photography. I'll see if you can figure out which are which.

Keep the Beat, the local War Child Canada fundraiser took place a recently. A great success again with more than $12,000 raised to send off... and about 1500 visitors.

The 12th Annual Gentleman's Cruise A Palooza - 10 men, one 55-foot,vessel ,a 100 mile long pristine mountain lake, various intoxicants, cards, fire on the beach...you get the picture. It was really fun again.

The local osprey nest - a 15 minute paddle to the middle of the lake (photo by Anna). This is a very successful breeding area for these wonderful fishers.

Hope you are each having a swell summer (or winter if you are Lindsay)in Australia...

On a deeper note, in the words of a great modern philosopher, "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it through not dying."

- Woody Allen

Click to see photos larger...

Kootenay Lake Shoreline

Richard doing Leonardo in Titanic... or men on beer?

Aspen and Zoey perform

Face painting anyone?

15 minute paddle to osprey nest in lake (photo by Anna)

Something fun from La Paz

2009-07-22T10:22:00.002-07:00

My daughter Zoey and her friend Evie (also from Nelson) met a film maker when they were in La Paz, Bolivia last winter. In a day they put together this song and she made a video with them. I think it's fun and even pretty cool. (Zoey is the one with the hat. Evie is currently living and working in Buenos Aires...)

What do you think?

Interesting times...

2009-07-13T14:47:00.005-07:00

Me in 10 years?

I've come across more and more people lately who are convinced civilization as we know it is about to collapse in a dramatic fashion. With economic shifts, peak oil looming, climate change accelerating and rampant globalization without ethical leadership, they believe a meltdown will arrive soon and hard. Okay, some of them believe in the Mayan calendar, Kaliyuga and other prophetic superstitions too.

These acquaintances tend to fall into two camps. Those who are obsessed with bleak news and information, particularly anything that supports their world view - they tend to talk a lot and worry a lot. There are also those who want to find land, raise goats and be ready to return to the 1700s. Sometimes these camps overlap.

Here's my take, for what it's worth. Yes, we are in a period of significant change (nothing as dramatic as World War II or the Great Depression yet though) and we will see even greater change in the next 20 years. It will become more chaotic and will require adjustments in how I live. There may even be radical change, politically, economically and socially. I follow the news, see the challenges and am not turning a blind eye.

As for a meltdown, bleak living and a dog eat dog society...I don't buy it. There are already about 2 billion of us living on the edge, without enough food, water, security, education or opportunity. There are already people without power, without vehicles, without a healthy environment - millions and millions of them. And those people for the most part do so with dignity and social structures that are strong. I'd like to see a shift in resources to lift them from a dollar or two a day existence more than to be sure I have a goat and a wagon.

I think it is narcissistic, fearful and misguided if I, one of the most privileged humans on the planet, obsess on my possible demise and how I can retreat into some imaginary self sufficiency and protect my own. It seems rather sad in the big picture.

What I prefer is to take the threads of optimism I feel and see all around, and contribute to building a resilient, adaptable and enjoyable local/regional community and to fight where I can for social justice for everyone. Not to mention taking time to enjoy the beauty around me, those I love and a good sip of single malt whisky now and then.

Hmmmm - a rant, although a polite one as always.

To be truly radical
is to make hope possible,
rather than despair convincing.

- Raymond Williams, Welsh academic, novelist and critic

P.S. Check out this local example of positive action - a local organic grain cooperative. The first tons of grain grown were delivered 100 kilometres by a fleet of local sailboats. Fun.

Children of Mozambique

Canada Day ... eh?

2009-07-01T14:47:00.010-07:00

July 1st is Canada Day. We celebrate it old-school here in Nelson. At 10:00 a.m. Lakeside Park opens its gates and people flood in for a day of celebration and fun, that culminates with fireworks over the lake at 10:00 p.m.

It feels like an old-fashioned small town event - with sand sculpting contests, kids games, food stands, a bandstand with non-stop live music, speeches from politicians, Mounties in red serge, bagpipes, square dancing,a fly-by from the 6 planes in the Nelson Flying Club and a sail-past from the 6 boats in that club. We also sing Oh Canada and then eat a huge cake (see before and after photos).

I met an American gent who just moved here from Idaho and we struck up a conversation over organic salmon burgers from our not-so-average lakeside food stand (see photo). He said he senses a quiet pride in Canadians, that they like to differentiate themselves from Americans and seem gentle. He's right. We both agreed that President Obama makes America proud again, strengthens our hopes for democracy and makes it easier for Americans to travel. We're going to meet up again sometime.

Last Canada Day was the first day Anna came to visit me in Nelson. Fireworks indeed... She's away today so I honour her with one of her recent canoe photos (Mr. Basketball).

Apologies to Aboriginal Canadians for what we've done these past 142 years, and let's hope to do better and keep it the true north strong and free together for another 142. Happy Birthday you.

The good citizens of Nelson fill the park (click on any photo to see enlarged)

Rod and Jill decorate their snack bar rather nicely - great menu too!

Young and enthusiastic folk dancers

The cake unveiled!

City Councilor Bob Adams at the knife...

... and done

Kootenay Lake discovery - Anna on the camera

New York is for... everyone

2009-06-27T21:02:00.010-07:00

First, I AM sorry, Nova and Zee, that we didn't find time to arrange a blogger coffee visit. It won't happen again and I'm sure New York will. The only friend I looked up was Scott, who I spent years in an ashram life with. He came down from near Woodstock for the day and time melted like an ice cream cone on Wall Street in August.

I love the place. It's not just the endless familiar sites - anyone not heard of Broadway, Central Park, Greenwich Village, Times Square, The Empire State Building, Ellis Island, Harlem, and on and on...?

It's more the energy of the place. Crowded, everyone walking or taking the subway, towering buildings, movement and noise. And then a little closer you find people who talk to you, sometimes really interesting characters, sometimes just chatty, sometimes just friendly.

The arts? Best available. We did a Broadway play by Noel Coward, Blythe Spirit, The Met, The Guggenheim and more.

Food? Oh my God. Just browsing in Zabar's is enough reason to visit NY.

Architecture? Even a Lower Eastside tenement is a gem.

Here are a few snaps.

I bet you know this exact spot Nova - big nature in a big city

A photo I loved at Ellis Island - bath time was never so fun... or dirty

Anna's hair reaching for Ms Liberty (whose lookout is closed to visitors for security reason ironically)

New York's finest on Museum Mile night (free museums and street fair on 5th Ave)

I took this from the Empire State Building late at night - Times Square glow

Your lighten-up item for the day...

2009-06-20T09:25:00.004-07:00

VTM, a television station in Belgium, recently used a flash mob dance stunt to announce their newest reality television program “Op zoek naar Maria”. They are prmomoting the program’s search for an an actress to play the leading role in the The Sound of Music.

As performance art, it's just plain fun and it has Julie Andrews's voice, which is a story in itself. Oh Julie!

Have a look and see what you think. (Thanks for this Michael R.)

Seasonal musings...

2009-05-30T09:04:00.009-07:00

May morning

Ancient, but productive apple

Johny Jump Ups - gypsies showing up everywhere in the yard...

It's been hot and summery here. Blossoms and multiple shades of green all around yet up the mountain slopes -  still snow on top. It's a rich time of year in this little corner of planet earth.

I'm not entirely a news junkie and tend not to watch TV news much. But I read a national newspaper and a bunch of magazine, such as Harpers and The Walrus. I also listen to CBC radio 1 news and talk shows on our local co-op radio, which has a politically left bent. (I host a morning show every so often now too...)

All this is leading somewhere - really.

Here it is now. My advice to me:

- Follow the news, face the issues, learn about what's up and who's doing what to who, analyze it and decide what to do or not.  Work for what's right. Stand up. Speak up. Feel the despair sometimes.

But.

- Look at the beauty and realize what a perfect state we are in. The beauty may be natural, it may be music, it may be an image, it may be a child, a lover, an old woman hobbling out of a store with a bag, a turn of phrase on a page. It is everywhere.

And for a final diversion in this ramble: here's Dan Mangen, an up and coming folk singer in BC, who is attending this year's War Child event in Nelson.  (Be patient or push it to 1:30 when Dan really does start to sing.

Happy a fine summer each.

Happy Birthday Queeen Victoria!

2009-05-15T09:16:00.005-07:00

For the foreign visitors to this blog, you may be interested to know that we celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday in Canada - we even get a long weekend (this one). This was a major celebration decades ago, with parades honouring the old gal and Canada's British heritage. Remember, we were on their side in 1776!

For most of us now, it's about getting the garden in and having some fun outside.

Anyhow, here is my first segue...

1. My great great great Grandfather Slessor was a stone mason and was commissioned by Queen Victoria to build Crathie Kirk, next to Balmoral Castle in Scotland. I not only visited the church a few years back (with me mom), but was able to see the archives with photos of the queen and my ancestor AND Charles, Camilla and kids attended church the morning we did. I'm not much for religion so was able to mostly rubberneck the whole time. That Andrew is a cutie... and Camilla and Charlie were touching hands now and then (awwwww).

Crathie Kirk

My second segue...

2. If you have 6 or 7 minutes free because it's a long weekend, or because you are the kind of person who gives yourself 6 or 7 minutes whenever you choose to... well have a look at this and see what you think..

Women of the world unite (us all)...

2009-05-10T12:05:00.005-07:00

Mom, Zoey et moi...

I did call my mom today - okay, she called me, but the result was still lots of love over the phone. She's a brilliant and fine mother. In her mid-80s she's still healthy enough to golf two or three times a week, walk everywhere, swim in the lake in the summer and dance a little. Her mind is equally fit. Love you mom!

The video below helps us know that Mothers Day is more than Hallmark...

Words matter...

2009-04-30T22:36:00.002-07:00

I wonder who out there likes poetry. I find that hearing it aloud works best for me. I know Zee, Lindsay and Abhay like it, because they write verse. Anyhow, here's a young man from Vancouver who I love to listen to. (Thanks to my kids for my introduction to Shane.)

Comments? More poetry?

An important moment in the history of torture...

2009-04-27T09:12:00.012-07:00

I'm not an American citizen, but I have sent my message to President Obama - 'There is no option. Prosecuting torture and other illegal acts is not an executive decision. Without justice, the moral high road is no longer available to the United States."

The excerpts below are from an Amnesty USA document I read this morning.

--------------------

Shocking evidence from a classified Senate Armed Services Committee report released last week makes the most compelling case to date that senior Bush administration officials intentionally lied about torture.

Under the bright lights of national news cameras, President Bush and Secretary Rumsfeld described the horrors of Abu Ghraib as acts committed by a "few bad apples," when in fact, they were actively encouraging the armed forces to torture prisoners at detention centers worldwide.

The details in this and other documents recently released should send chills down your spine. They confirm our worst nightmares about the types of interrogation tactics approved, including slamming suspects into walls, waterboarding 2 individuals a combined 266 times and exploiting another's fear of insects by confining him in a box with an insect.

Horrifying as they are, these details only scratch the surface of what our 50 years of experience interviewing victims of torture tells us. We know that abuse always escalates over time, especially when sanctioned at the highest levels.

The administration's response? Give torturers a free pass. The Obama administration announced recently that it would guarantee immunity to CIA officials and others who carried out clearly illegal interrogation tactics. This action directly contradicts the administration's assertions that nobody is above the law.

The President and others in his administration have begun to change their tune in response to mounting public outcry. And now Obama has signaled that he may leave the door open for further investigation of those in the highest rungs of power in the Bush administration.

This moment represents a crucial opening in the fight for accountability. It's a chance to finally slap the cuffs on those who authorized interrogators to take the gloves off and ensure that those responsible for abuse are held to account for the irreparable harm they've caused.

And most importantly, it's an acknowledgment that accountability is the only way to put an end to the failed policies of detention without trial and detainee abuse.

What happens next will determine whether the whole story about Bush-era torture will see the light of day or remain shrouded in secrecy. We need to ensure that a non-partisan independent commission leads the investigation, and that it's free from political influences, has subpoena power and enough money to pursue the truth.

---------------------

If you're interested in an international perspective on the Obama Administration's first 100 days, from a human rights perspective, have a look here.

Well, how does it feel to be American?

2009-04-24T08:45:00.008-07:00

I'm curious. I know the ecomony is dominating day to day life for lots of us, and perhaps particularly in the United States, where the stakes are so high.

But don't forget, it was only months ago that President Obama was elected amid a climate of increased hope - for honesty, for the environment, for international relations, for the rights of the deprived, for health care and possibly most importantly - with a sense of optimism instead of despair (for most Americans... not Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld of course).

So here's my question to my American blogger colleagues, friends, visitors and buddies... What are you feeling about being American today?

On a related note..

The World Values Survey is a credible organization that tracks (among other things) happiness around the world, and has been doing this for decades. Have a look at the ranking of countries based on subjective scoring of happiness and life satisfaction (which surveys how people feel about their lives, not economic, education , health etc.) Those in bold are the high income countries on the list.

Good old Nigeria! Could it be the joy of internet scamming?

Viva Mexico!

And what's with Puerto Rico?

And they can't have only surveyed rich drug lords in Columbia...

Interesting?

Subjective well-being rankings of 82 societies

(based on combined Happiness and Life Satisfaction scores)

Puerto Rico

Mexico

Denmark

Ireland

Iceland

Switzerland

N. Ireland

Columbia

Netherlands

Canada

Austria

El Salvador

Venezuala

Luxembourg

U.S.

Australia

New Zealand

Sweden

Nigeria

Norway

Belgium

Finland

Election Fun

2009-04-16T12:47:00.004-07:00

We're into a provincial election here. The whole shebang takes about a month. Campaigning started this week and the election is May 12th. That's the Canadian way. There are a few interesting things about this one.

1. The Liberals (who aren't) have been in power for 8 years and have moved the province to more of a free-market, conservative, cut-back, hurt-the-poor position. We have had a good economy, have the 2010 Winter Olympics coming and live in a wonderfully beautiful place. But we have the highest levels of child poverty in Canada. Go figure. Our local Lib candidate is Josh Smienk, a guy I like and know, but who will pretty much support more of the same.

Gord Campbell, our Liberal Premier REALLY REALLY wants to be the big guy for next year's Olympics.

2. The New Democrats are our social democratic party. Oddly enough, they've been losing the green vote lately by criticizing everything the current government does for the environment, even the carbon tax they imposed on all fuels, which some of us think is a good first step.  Carol James, the leader, has the charisma of well... nobody. Our local candidate is a  woman I know, Michelle Mungall, who will be a wonderful young, dynamic, free thinking activist  member if elected (whoops Gary - your bias is showing!)

3. The Green Party will get lots of good press, will field terrific candidates and probably won't elect a single one, because of the fear of a split vote.

Here's the exciting bit. We have a referendum question on the ballot to decide whether to move to a new electoral system - other than first past the post. The Single Transferable Vote model (STV) was developed by a citizen's assembly. It would be terrific to try it out. Now this will get Greens elected the next time around...

May the best woman win.

Breaking News: Dad Misses Daughter

2009-04-10T11:22:00.009-07:00

Buenos Aires Street Scene - photo of Zoey's

I like this video of my daughter performing last year - hope you do too. I didn't know it existed until this week when a friend directed me to it.

Hope you like it too...

I want to leave the nest too...

2009-04-06T09:38:00.008-07:00

Son Ryan ... Pirate for hire?

Zoey and friends in Bolivia

Son Ryan (21) is living the bohemian life in Vancouver, with requisite crappy job in a restaurant staffed by characters galore, living in a house with friends who do art projects day and night, playing gigs, writing poetry and stories, busking for money to go to shows... hiking in the mountains and at the seashore - and generally doing the job of finding himself while having fun and learning lessons. I don't envy the details, but love the spirit of the thing.

And I've been able to visit every month of so. Which involves lots of walking talking and eating good food I pay for. Legendary Noodle House on Denman if you must know.

Daughter Zoey (18) is mid-way through six months traveling in South America. I didn't even know that the largest salt flats in the world existed in Bolivia, let alone know how amazing they are (she's there today). Did you?

She's hiked three days into Machu Picchu in Peru, sailed across Lake Titicaca (at 12,000 feet) and for contrast, rocked to a live R adiohead concert in Buenos Aires. Yes, now I'm feeling envy.

She's also been robbed by pickpockets (twice), been on 40 hour bus rides, experienced altitude illness and seen poverty that doesn't exist here (like that I mean).

Me? I'm in the partially empty nest, with a wonderful new bird friend and wondering why we don't just follow their lead. Any advice?

Introducing my friend Marsha...

2009-03-30T20:19:00.004-07:00

This links to Artful Solutions, a website that portrays the art of my friend Marsha, in Victoria BC. It also gives you some insights into Marsha, a very special woman indeed. I hope you can visit and have a look around.

Spring in the mountains...

2009-03-22T09:49:00.003-07:00

I understand the beauty of snow on the sun splashed mountain. I get it. I also understand and feel the world of life beneath the leaf layer and within the buds. I sometimes see the stoic deer or elk standing firm in the snow and wind. I even like to feel the occasional blast of Arctic wind on my reddened cheeks. I startle awake to a new blanket of snow outside the window.

I have to be cautious when I say that this winter seemed far too long and I'm done with it. Only because I was in Hawaii for about a month and anyone who knows that would be justified to treat me like an AIG bonus recipient.

But look at this photo, just outside the bedroom. Yes! Snowdrops rising as the snow itself disappears.

I'm ready.

Inspiration...hope...feeling the fight

2009-03-20T09:26:00.003-07:00

Here are a couple of clips that I have bookmarked because they both move me. One is very short and one a little longer, both a bit dated. If you have a few minutes - have a look. And just to add to the mix, here is a quote a friend shared with me this week (could be my slogan):

To be truly radical
is to make hope possible,
rather than despair convincing.

- Raymond Williams, Welsh academic, novelist and critic

Publish Post

Tianamen Square 1989

And this is Severn Suzuki, when she was 13. She's David Suzuki's daughter and is an adult activist now.

A Wee Toast on Saint Paddy's Day O

2009-03-17T11:13:00.002-07:00

Home from Vancouver... after 2 days of flying over home and back to Vancouver, unable to land because of weather. Hope I get airmiles for all of it...

Here's to the band Flogging Molly, to Mr. J. Depp, to pirates and wenches everywhere and to everyone with a wee bit o Oyrish in yer bones. (That's you!)

Humour for the road...

2009-03-10T22:21:00.002-07:00

I'm on my way to Vancouver for three days. Work and a visit with my 21 year old son Ryan.

A little humour for you (Canuck style).

Cuba Re-re-visited

2009-03-01T10:44:00.005-08:00

A visitor found the old post of mine (below) - and liked it, so I re-read it and discovered that I like it too. At the risk of being both vain and lazy, I re-post it today. Now if any of you have President Obama's ear, pass it along to him and don't forget the bit about Jimmy Carter...

Okay, just to make it really new I'll add a photo of Anna and I on Kauai a month ago - which has nothing to do with Cuba directly (other than the latitude and the Obama reference).

------

Canada and Cuba celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations

Many of my friends (and my mother recently) go to Cuba for winter vacations - it's perfect. Canada cold in winter - even in BC...Cuba warm always = vacation. In addition, it's reasonably inexpensive and the people are friendly, well-educated, articulate and seem to enjoy Canadians. Good health care too. One of my friends stays in the Trinidad area regularly and has a circle of friends there.

I smoke a nice Habana cigar with 2 pals every so often as well (goes well with a smooth single malt whisky). These tobacco gems are brought back from Cuba vacationers or purchased locally here in Nelson.

Our government talks to their government - there are investments, development opportunities, cultural exchanges. Hey, Prime Minister Trudeau and Fidel were pals (see above).

Okay now - I know the US/Cuba history thing... even lived in Miami for two years, so I know the Cuban American vote thing too. I also work on behalf of some Cuban prisoners of conscience through Amnesty.  It's not perfect there (although US rented Gitmo has even more illegal prisoners than Fidel does).

So what's with the cold war, the embargo, the propaganda, the imposed hardship on Cubans, the military threats? Why not thaw things out, normalize it? How long do you think it would take for people power, trade and investment to bring down the cafe-leche wall?

I fear for the Cubans when fast food, bullshit entertainment, free market etc. arrive, but something must change. Put President Carter on the job and things would change in a few years. I think he gets it.

Meanwhile, those Canadian winters will continue to be moderated with Cuban beaches, nasty big lovely  cigars, rum and good food.

Musical interlude...

2009-02-27T21:20:00.000-08:00

I think this is smart and fun and stylish and not a bad song either. You?

Mr. Obama goes to Ottawa

2009-02-18T16:41:00.007-08:00

Read on... and the photo will make very little sense still, but is funny at least...

We're all a flutter here with President Obama making his first foreign trip a visit to Canada. I know... it doesn't feel that foreign here unless you go to Quebec or the Arctic Circle, but trust me, we feel like it's a different country.

It's an odd time. Canadians support Obama to the tune of about 85% approval rating and our own Prime Minister to about 35% these days. Many of us are hoping he'll befriend little Stevie Harper and twist his arm to:
- bring Omar Khadar home to Canada from Guantanamo and treat him within a fair justice system
- clean up the tar sands oil operations in Alberta, which create more than 25% of Canada's carbon emissions
- shift the economy to the colour green by investing in new energy
- become a broker for international peace and diplomacy again, as Canada was once renowned for (not that long ago)

Of course, we could offer some advice on universal health care, on land conservation and we could open up trade in creative ways:

- Cultural Trade: you (U.S.) can have Celine Dion permanently and we'll take Michael Moore
- Weapons Trade: you give us a 3 tanks to double our number... and we'll give you your pick of 3 NHL hockey goons
- Environmental Trade: you give us one Hawaiian Island for solar power and we'll give you enough snow for everyone to have a white Christmas at least once
- Comedy Trade: you already stole Jim Carey, John Candy, Dan Akroyd, Mike Meyers, Tom Green, Michael Fox, Martin Short, Andrea Martin, and The Kids in the Hall. Give us a Hawaiian Island for them too and we'll call it square.

Is Gary rambling? I think so.

Welcome President Obama! We're pulling for you.

2500 miles and 25 degrees celsius...

2009-02-06T19:21:00.008-08:00

Orchids on the tree outside the cottage - Kiluea Kauai

Sunset over Kekeha Beach - Kauai

King of the road - if you've been to Kauai, you understand...

Hiking the Wamea Canyon, Kauai

Hiking the NaPali trail (a little ways at least) - Kauai

We're at the Honolulu Airport, heading back to colder air, the last (I hope) of the snow and to lots of work again.

Kauai is wonderful. Go there if you can. Let's have a blogger conference there - I'll organize it.

More later.

Another good day...for human rights over false security

2009-01-23T09:56:00.004-08:00

This week President Obama signed an executive order to close Guantanamo Bay detention center. In addition, the order formally:

1. Bans torture and inhumane and degrading treatment of detainees by requiring that the Army field manual be used as the guide for terror interrogations.

2. Closes the CIA’s secret prisons and ends the Bush administration's CIA program of enhanced interrogation methods that have included abhorrent procedures like water-boarding.

3. Provides the International Committee of the Red Cross access to all U.S.-held detainees.

4. Establishes an interagency task force to lead a systematic review of detention policies and procedures and a review of all individual cases.

(Thanks to Ruth for the summary.)

Perhaps now we'll see the Harper government here in Canada finally act to bring Canadian citizen Omar Khadr home. He was illegally incarcerated in Guantanamo Bay at 15 years old and has given his youth to imprisonment, torture and deprivation. It will be so interesting to have an US administration with more liberal principles, political transparency, and a stronger human rights agenda than Canada. Let's turf Harper as soon as we can, fellow Canucks...

For information on Khadr, check here.

A fresh morning...

2009-01-20T15:49:00.002-08:00

View of sunrise from our current living room window (Hawaii)

Oh what a fine day for America and the world. May it set the tone for the cloudy times ahead... I was so pleased to hear President Obama speak to the world as well as the American people. I'm tired of hearing about expectations and the fact that he can't meet them - of course that's true. But what is needed most in the world today is a change of tone, a change of heart, a coming together, inner strength... all those good things that help me feel positive and not give up.

Okay, enough of me. Here's Elizabeth Alexander's poem from the inauguration. IMeant to be read aloud if you have time for it again. I love it...

Praise song for the day.

Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each others' eyes or not, about to speak or speaking. All about us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues. Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patching a tire, repairing the things in need of repair.

Someone is trying to make music somewhere with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.

A woman and her son wait for the bus.

A farmer considers the changing sky; A teacher says, "Take out your pencils. Begin."

We encounter each other in words, words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed; words to consider, reconsider.

We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of someone and then others who said, "I need to see what's on the other side; I know there's something better down the road."

We need to find a place where we are safe; We walk into that which we cannot yet see.

Say it plain, that many have died for this day. Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.

Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign; The figuring it out at kitchen tables.

Some live by "Love thy neighbor as thy self."

Others by first do no harm, or take no more than you need.

What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.

In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.

On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp -- praise song for walking forward in that light.

Moving along

2009-01-12T11:12:00.005-08:00

Kate Winslet. Read on and it will make sense.

I had an epic travel journey last week - it took me five days to get from Vancouver to Nelson (usually a one hour flight or 8 hour drive). Three days of weather related flight delays, which led me back to the same airport hotel each night "Hello again Mr. Ockenden!".

Then I got smart and flew to Kelowna (half way home) to rent a car and drive the last four hours. Not so smart after all... All the major highways then closed for two days due to avalanches. So I sat for two days (at my mother's place) making her very happy) before driving home. Meanwhile, flights had begun to land... without me.

One day at home and we drove back to Vancouver to put my daughter on plane for a five month trip to South America (Lima first) and then we leave for Hawaii a day later.

Okay, I know with that last sentence you lost all sympathy for me. I understand. And will post some sunset and rainbow photos soon. Please don't hate me - you could channel your winter-blues resentment to Seraphine instead- she got to go to Costa Rica after all.

On the news front, some very brief (and opinionated) insights:

- Israel has a right to defend itself and Hamas rockets launched into civilian areas is just plain wrong, BUT from a humanitarian and international legal point of view, it can be easily argued that Israel has committed war crimes and atrocities in the past few weeks. More than 800 dead, mostly civilians... shooting at UN workers, preventing the Red Cross from doing its work... and more. Shame.

- President Elect Obama says he'll definitely close the illegal US detention centre in Guantanamo Bay, but it will take longer than he thought. I believe him, but hope people keep reminding him to act so that it doesn't get lost. If the US can stop its policy of torture, illegal detention and extraordinary rendition... it will go a long way to regaining faith from its friends (me for one).

- Kate Winslet (finally the photo makes sense) won two Golden Globes last night. Am I the only one who absolutely loves her work? (If so, please give me a call !)

Enough...

And the haiku prize winner is....

2009-01-03T14:33:00.004-08:00

Thanks to each of you for your haiku entries (see below) There were several from Zee - a poet in every moment.

The poems were read once again, appreciation was offered (in spirit at least) and Anna then pulled a name at random (there are no accidents of course).

The winner of the lovely West Kootenay 2009 Scenic Calendar is...
.
.
.
.
.

Cheri

Send your mailing address and the prize will be on its way Cheri.

A New Year Dream (and music to move to...)

2009-01-03T14:08:00.002-08:00

Thanks to my friend Mitch for directing me to this Amnesty International music video.

Oh yes, someday we need the suits in the United Nations dancing and voting with their hearts. Watch and comment if you'd like to.

May we all live in peace with ourselves and each other. May each child grow up safe, respected, fed, free and loved.

Merry Christmas my friends

2008-12-24T09:36:00.003-08:00

For the first time since 1971 (according to CBC Radio) Canada is having a white Christmas from coast to coast to coast (some of us like to mention the Arctic coast too). While that means it's cold and the poor Vancouverites are learning how to crash their cars in three inches of snow - it's rather lovely.

The other night we soaked in Ainsworth hot springs in the dark. It's a natural spring, with the water flowing out of a cave into pools - nice anytime of year, but especially lovely in winter. It was about minus 10 Celsius and snowflakes were drifting lazily down. There was a blanket of winter stillness covering all, and the 20 or so people soaking in the pools seemed to be whispering to honour that. It seemed so far away from the bustle of Christmas and the worries that are so dominent for so many just now.

If Christmas symbolizes the arrival of light into darkness, the hope for innocence and goodness to prevail... the whispering of humans as they gather to honour what's sacred - then may this Christmas please bring us a little closer to respecting all life and pulling together on our fragile planet.

Best wishes to each of you - whatever Christmas means (or doesn't mean) to you.

A winter haiku contest

2008-12-19T11:24:00.003-08:00

I haven't offered a haiku contest for a while. Those of you who have won before know of the fabulous prizes and fame that await the winner. (Okay, you'd be better off visiting Susan when she has a contest, and finding a way to win one of her beautiful hand painted silk scarves, but I digress...)

I attended a haiku workshop this summer, with terrific poets, academics and lovers of haiku. In fact, we were the novices in the group. I was surprised to learn (although one of you told me before) that the 5, 7, 5 syllable form is not required or a rule.

So here's my rules:
- refer directly or indirectly to the winter season somehow
- 3 lines (5,7,5 if you wish, but not required)

I'll pull a name at random and award a prize. To get things going:

cold bright morning -
a fresh breeze
spanks my cheeks

If you're too busy with Christmas things to think about poetry - don't feel pressured (hmmm, but there is the prize...)

Welcome back Gary! (I imagine someone saying...)

2008-12-16T21:12:00.004-08:00

It's been a while since I posted something. It's not for a lack of interesting world events or a lack of inspiration or a lack of annoyances to examine... I have been traveling a lot for weeks and weeks and have been putting energy into new work, a new relationship (well, 6 months now), my kids as they fly in an out of the nest... etc.

So this might be eclectic - is that alright? Perhaps something serious, something light, something annoying, something silly and something lovely - how's that?

Something Serious
President Elect Obama is setting the tone - and I like it. One thing he has committed to is to close the illegal detention centre at Guantanamo Bay and he has also committed the nation to ensure the end of torture by the U.S.

Amnesty International is also calling on the President-elect to support an independent commission of inquiry into all aspects of the USA's detention and interrogation practices in the "war on terror", and to ensure full accountability for human rights violations committed in that context.

The organization has written to President-elect Obama to urge him to ensure that closing Guantánamo, ending torture and other ill-treatment, and supporting a commission of inquiry, are among his priorities for his first 100 days in office.

A copy of Amnesty International’s checklist for President-elect Obama is available at: http://www.amnesty.ca/amnestynews/upload/AMR511172008.pdf.

Something Light (sort of)
I'm involved with War Child Canada, a terrific organization working to change conditions for children affected by war - on the ground and in the public opinion arena. Check this interesting promotional 'commercial' out.

Something Annoying
Help me - what is one thing that annoys you about Christmas? (Okay, I'll ask for nice things next week - for this one, let's go with annoying.) I'll get you started: something that annoys me is piped Christmas music starting in department stores sometime in say... early November. Usually crappy recordings and generally they get stuck in my head for days, or until the next time I'm in the store to get re-programmed. "Oh the weather outside is frightful... etc" You?

Something Silly
Any Pee Wee Herman fans out there? If so, just a little Christmas tidbit - with Charo and Chairo! Secret word: YEAR. Here you go.

Something Lovely
The main shopping street in Nelson BC (see, I'm not a Grinch).

The benefits of climate change...

2008-11-23T12:49:00.003-08:00

I took this photo an hour ago - while paddling in a calm lake. It was cold out but not that cold. Usually by now we've had a good taste of winter. This fall, we've had many warm, sunny and gorgeous days.

The climate change in our micro area is that winter arrives later, has a great deal of snow, then departs earlier in the spring... and we have drier summers.

The bad news: more spring floods and more summer fires (and eco changes we're still understanding).

The good news: well, just look at the photo! And dry hot summers are not too hard to take.

Here's a link to a report that I was hired to produce - it shows the trends in the Columbia Basin in a whole range of ways. (Whoops, somehow I slipped from enjoying the beauty back into work... )

What's it like where you are?

The NY Times we need to see...

2008-11-17T12:38:00.002-08:00

This is based on an elaborate spoof, yet is so inspiring that I think I need a pot of coffee and a few hours to explore it further. Have a peek and have fun. (The video pages is worth a look...)

NY Times - July 4, 2009

What do you think?

We can transcend...we can cross bridges...

2008-11-08T10:56:00.002-08:00

I'm at a conference in Montreal - one of the keynote speakers was the CEO of the Africa Trust - a foundation doing some amazing work on that continent. When asked what he thought of President (elect) Obama's victory, he quoted a cab driver in Senegal on Wednesday morning: "He is Africa's gift to America ... and America's gift to the world." I like that.

For those who think 'hope' and 'change' and 'unity' are concepts short on tangible benefits. Think again. We've had enough of the market driving change, of cynicism and fear smothering hope and enough of separation through diversity. It has to start with what we believe. I think we're fortunate that Barack Obama may provide both - the vision... and the action.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot: "YIPPEE!!!"

Some pre-voting fun

2008-11-02T14:23:00.003-08:00

I'm back for a visit - literally, as in I'm in my own bed for a change and also to post something on my blog. Next week I'm in Montreal, for an interesting conference and an even more interesting rendezvous with my friend Anna. I love Montreal, so it will be fun all around.

You American cousins must be excited (and nervous) just now. It's so close to the election and there are so many indications that Barack Obama will be the next President and will lead a strong Democratic government. Yet, there has to be that little bit of doubt, worry about fickle voters, skewed polls and of course, the famous vote-stealing machinery here and there.

In case anyone wonders, the rest of the world would elect him by a landslide. There is only one country in the world where it's even close ... the U.S. Look at this summary of polls to see the international preferences. It's not simply a preference either... people around the world believe this is an extremely important elections - for all of us. I believe so too.

On a lighter note (well, unless you're really afraid McCain/Palin might win this week - in which case it may not be as funny) ... take a look at Sarah in the Oval Office - click wherever the cursor lets you and have some fun. (Some things can be clicked on several times...)

Not politics

2008-10-19T10:32:00.004-07:00

View across the lake from town - can you see Jimi Hendrix in the yellow trees? (Look to the left.)

Okay, we can only post and talk about politics so much.

I was out on Kootenay Lake with a friend a couple of years back. Sitting by a small fire on the beach, miles from the nearest road or house. I pointed at the setting light on the mountain across the lake, and how the shadow was visibly moving and how golden and beautiful it was (no stimulants were involved, honest!).

He looked for a few seconds and then said, "Yeah, but look at those god damn clear cuts over there! We screw up everything."

He just couldn't see anything without seeing human beings in it - and badly.

It made me wonder how far I get from simply seeing what's in front of me, especially when it's naturally beautiful. This is true with seeing each other too I think - as we each are naturally beautiful.

Am I so affected by the filters of politics, society, prejudices, fears, history, science and all - that I can't just enjoy and experience? I think it's really important to get to a simple place, a place to really see and feel. Agree?

Being outdoors helps, as do stars, little children, waves, music, and loving touches. Does this matter to you and how do you find 'simple eyes'?

Okay, I did mention politics, but I'm not talking ABOUT politics.

Election Hangover

2008-10-15T10:26:00.007-07:00

I feel sick, like I had a rough night. But I didn't have any fun, so it's not one of THOSE hangovers. It's the kind where you wish you could wake up and start again.

Lowest voter turnout in history (about 60%). The Conservatives have a (slightly larger) minority government now. The Liberals are sinking. The Greens got lots of votes, but not a seat. The NDP have a few more seats but are still 4th. The Bloq (Quebec separatiste partie) saved our bacon by not letting Harper get the seats he needed there for the majority.

Here's the result:

FEDERAL ELECTION RESULTS

Seats won/leading

conservatives

143

liberals

bloc quebecois

new democrats

others

155 seats required for
majority government

My NDP candidate, and friend, Alex Atamenenko won in this riding - a bright spot in a cloudy sky.

Here is an edited version of my friend Brian's take on the election (thanks Brian, out in Nova Scotia):

Ah yes, the election. I am trying to look on the bright side. The egomaniac from hell did not get his majority. Sadly, the Libs and NDP did not get enough seats to be able to form an alternative government. The Liberals will now have to do something about Dion. Rae is a Chrétien clone (clown) and Ignatieff thinks he is Pierre. I am not sure the Canadian public will prefer either one as a replacement.

I was sorry that the Greens will not have at least one seat. I think their credibility is bound to suffer. Thibeault, my local Liberal, did go down to defeat to one of the few Conservative seats in the province, but Bryson made it okay - I had some dealings with him when I was with the Cancer Society and like him. For sentimental reasons, I was also pleased to see (Trudeau) made it. So I guess we are now in for at least two more years of 'deus ex machina' rule from the PM's office.

Comments anyone?

I'm still here Zee...

2008-10-12T08:01:00.006-07:00

Okay, I'm open to some advice here my friends.

I have been really busy for months, including 13 flights in the past month alone, mostly work travel and one romantic getaway in Ottawa. I'm distracted by changes in my life and a growing life on Facebook. The travel is slowing down a little, with a only a few trips between now and Christmas (including another 'rendesvous').

So I've gone from frequent posts on this blog to not so many. I feel like I've abandoned some friendships, or at least neglected them.

Sometimes bloggers stop altogether and announce that (some of you remember Madcap Mom, Beth, Dimitiri and others). I don't want to do that because I like this connection and I like looking at all of your blogs too, even if not as regularly as I used to.

Maybe I'm not asking for your advice, but for patience. Okay?

And now for not-about-Gary

We vote in a federal parliament here on Tuesday and it's a nail biter. The Anyone But Harper movement is growing. For some really exciting technology and a glimpse into modern strategic voting, have a look here . This is getting major coverage and there are other sites helping people 'swap' votes. I vote for a party that might win here and someone in another riding agrees to vote for my party, because they have a chance there.

The US election is looking pretty nasty from up here. Many of us are also still puzzled as to how it's even a race. However, a little digging indicates that a huge portion of the America population still believe that some god created dinosaurs, that Noah did put 20,000,000 insect couples on the ark and that Jesus is coming soon. I guess it's not a big leap to think that a snappy talking dinosaur from Alaska deserves to be a breath away from leading the most bankrupt economy in the world (with 707 foreign military bases).

As for the economic meltdown, it's global so Canada is free falling too. My take? Well, if I am really wealthy and lose most of it, I'd probably still be really wealthy. If I have small investments and lose most of it... it's still small. So why worry? (That may sound trite, but I mean it. I am not making light of people who are losing their homes by the way - or the corrupt system and societal greed and US policies that precipitated this.)

And finally, we celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada in October (this weekend). So let me wish that you each have things to be thankful for... and feel it.

Amen.

Back to Gary?

Since I'm on a roll anyhow (count this as 5 posts in one), let me tell you that last week I was sitting in Anna's Volkswagon camper van in my driveway, running it because she's away for a couple of months. An hour after I sat in it reading, a huge tree fell in a wind storm.

It flattened the van, as you can see here (click to enlarge). It also damaged my car badly (thousands of dollars). While we'll mourn Rosie (the van), I felt the closeness of the call - see the driver's seat? I'm thankful to be here.

Amen again.

The Debate dilemma - which to watch...

2008-10-02T20:51:00.006-07:00

Tonight the Canadian federal leaders debate coincided with the Joe Biden/Sarah Palin debate. I'm Canadian and want to follow my democratic process... but Geez, the US election is interesting. What to do? What to do?

What any modern man would do. Hold the channel changer firmly and watch both. Well, mostly the Canucks, but a good bit of the Veep wanabees.

I'm interested in your take on either or both - here's mine:

Canadian:

Stephen Harper called the election so probably shouldn't whine about being ganged up on (he was). The other four leaders occasionally snipped at each other (Layton and Dion for example), but it was all Harper all the time for the most part.

How did they do according to Gary?
- Stephen Harper Conservative: stayed cool, kept to the message "Now let's be clear.." but didn't win over many undecided. Nothing new and a lack of anything to say about the current financial crisis. Nice hair.

- Stephane Dion, Liberal: I suspect he exceeded most people's expectations, even his own party. He's always earnest and nerdy (in a rather cute way really), but he also made good points, and at times was even a little moving. His response to cuts to arts and culture was from the heart. He may have pulled a few wandering Liberals home. Decent suit.

- Jack Layton, NDP: Jack, Jack, Jack. I'm voting NDP this time. I like many of their policies and really like our local candidate. Jack was on the Jack Attack and did pretty well keeping his laser beam on Harper. Why do I find him a little grating or annoying? Help me. Nice tie.

- Gilles Duceppe, Bloq (a Quebec separatist party): Gilles is cool. He's suave, flexible, seems honest and makes points with care. He's emotional sometime. Too bad he's the leader of the party that wants to split the country in two. He may have secured his base, which will kill a Conservative majority. I'd like to go for a beer with Gilles. Nice eyes.

- Elizabeth May, Green: She was terrific and did two things well - made it clear that the Greens aren't only a one-issue show and second, showed that she's a smart, articulate politician. The Greens will get more votes, but I'm not sure where they'll come from - wouldn't it be wonderful if it was from Conservatives? Will she win her seat in Nova Scotia? Long shot still, but I hope so. Nice jewellery.

Biden/Palin

She's a brave one and speaks well generally. Joe won the debate - hands down. On CNN they had a little graph following the ratings (ongoing) of a bunch of undecided voters. When she talked about family, local stuff, American flag-waving stuff - her rating went up. For Joe it was about issues, particularly international. He kicked.

Best moment: When Joe talked about being a dad and not knowing if a child was going to make it. He teared up. So did I.

Two Predictions

- Obama/Biden by a safe margin in November

- Conservative minority government in Canada again, with more NDP seats and one or two Greens (he hopes).

Important political messages for my fellow North Americans

2008-09-25T20:29:00.004-07:00

Here's the message for my beloved Americans friends - remember, vote early and vote often!

Take this seriously... very seriously.

And for my Canadian brothers and sisters: Political scientists are saying Stephen Harper's Conservatives could win a majority with as little as 35 per cent of the popular vote. With just a little more than one in three voters selecting them to run this country, the Conservatives would have free reign to push through an agenda most Canadians do not agree with.

I'll simply offer a humble opinion.

Prime Minister Harper is about as much of an ordinary Canadian as Attila the Hun was just one of the guys. Don't be fooled by the baby blue cashmere sweaters and cozy living room table scenes. He wants to be our fearless leader to obey. He wants to slip us and slide us into a free market, Christian-viewed, fearful, every man for himself (caring for his wimmin), laughed at by social democracies around the world ordinary sort of country.

The message: figure out who in your riding might beat the Conservative candidate and vote for that person, even if you have to hold your nose.

Holding back in the hinterland...

Alert! - Two female poiticians on my mind...

2008-09-09T08:27:00.005-07:00

No need for an alert really, and these politicians couldn't be more different.

1. Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, has been shut out of the televised leaders debates. This was done mainly by Stephen Harper and the Conservatives (the PM said he would not attend if she was there). The other 'boys' followed suit, although apparently the Liberals welcomed her. The Green Party has candidates in 307 ridings, a sitting member of Parliament and are strong in the polls. This is an affront to democracy in Canada, whether you would ever vote Green or not. Here's a link to a petition if you care to make your voice heard.

Breaking News Tuesday: She's in!

2. Governor Palin: Canadians tend to be pretty nice folks and don't usually come out with fangs bared. But if you can handle a hot piece of writing by Heather Mallick (on Sarah Palin as VP), put on your sunglasses and go here.

Here's a little taste:

I assume John McCain chose Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential partner in a fit of pique because the Republican money men refused to let him have the stuffed male shirt he really wanted. She added nothing to the ticket that the Republicans didn't already have sewn up, the white trash vote, the demographic that sullies America's name inside and outside its borders yet has such a curious appeal for the right.

Let the political horses run!

Canucks to the polls - parliamentary style

2008-09-07T11:12:00.003-07:00

Yep, our Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, called an election today (via the Governor General - ask me). We vote on October 14. Here's some quick reflections - see if my political biases are on view...

- He's calling the election because he senses the Conservatives might just pull off a majority government. For two reasons: the Liberals are weak because their new leader, Stephane Dion, is not connecting with Canadians - is perceived as a weak leader... and because the polls in Quebec show a possible breakthrough there as the Bloq Quebecois Party is weak too (majority of Quebec seats).

- He's a total control freak and muzzles every member of his caucus, even cabinet ministers. It will be interesting to see if the fundamental, right wing-nuts and general free market conservatives blab too much. Hope so. Trust me, we have lots of Conservative MPs who would fit like a glove with the US Republican Party.

- 66% of Canadians support parties that are left leaning. Sadly that includes the Liberals, New Democrats, Greens and Parti Quebecois - so the vote gets split like a piece of cake in my family growing up - down to the crumbs.

- We get an election call, campaigning and the vote - in about 6 weeks total. Our Yankee cousins get the eternal campaign that started two years ago and they still vote after us. Aren't we tricky and quick!

- Harper has embarrassed Canada on every world stage for years. We voted with the US against the UN Treaty on the Rights of Indigenous People; supported Bush's human rights abuses by not condemning Guantanamo Bay; lobbied against the new Treaty (underway) against cluster bomb munitions; fought against any substantial global commitment to climate change; and generally moved from a small power with high ideals and global influence - to a whining, fearful, conniving reflection of the Bush regime.

- My prediction: another minority government, with Harper still in power.

- My hope: Stephane Dion will surprise Canadians and communicate his ideas and beliefs more effectively - so much that the Liberals form the minority government. He has to hammer away on the environment and the abysmal record of the Conservatives on just about everything except their tiny-brain views on the family and crime.

- AND, I hope the Greens elect a bunch of members.

There. That's my morning of the election call rant.

Thanks for the prompt Susan.

P.S. Here's a funny and interesting piece on this election, by Rick Mercer.

Sticking out moi neck...

2008-09-05T17:41:00.008-07:00

I haven't put lots of personal stuff on my blog over the years, or if I have, it's discreet. But I do define it as eclectic - political, humour, literate, musical, whimsy and personal. It's all up for grabs.

That's all to say that I've written that there is someone in my life now. Her name is Anna and I've known her for a long time, but not been in touch much for years... until this year.

Starting in January and then picking up in the spring, we got acquainted through a long email conversation (that continues now). Then in May we met to find out if our 3D forms would live up to, or be compatible, with our growing virtual friendship. Well, it did live up to it... and more.

We've seen each other a bunch of times. She's in Nova Scotia right now. We'll meet in Ottawa this month and here in Nelson in October.

So if you're interested, now you know... I'm smitten.

Some of you will recognize the canoe and the lake in this photo.

Let me also introduce you to my paddling partner, Anna.

And one more - on the shore on Gabriola Island

Interesting take on the VP candidate...

2008-09-05T05:52:00.004-07:00

This is the full article - interesting I think. And there is the view from outside America also - even stronger I suspect...

Palin: wrong woman, wrong message
Sarah Palin shares nothing but a chromosome with Hillary Clinton. She is Phyllis Schlafly, only younger.

By Gloria Steinem
September 4, 2008

Here's the good news: Women have become so politically powerful that even the anti-feminist right wing -- the folks with a headlock on the Republican Party -- are trying to appease the gender gap with a first-ever female vice president. We owe this to women -- and to many men too -- who have picketed, gone on hunger strikes or confronted violence at the polls so women can vote. We owe it to Shirley Chisholm, who first took the "white-male-only" sign off the White House, and to Hillary Rodham Clinton, who hung in there through ridicule and misogyny to win 18 million votes.

But here is even better news: It won't work. This isn't the first time a boss has picked an unqualified woman just because she agrees with him and opposes everything most other women want and need. Feminism has never been about getting a job for one woman. It's about making life more fair for women everywhere. It's not about a piece of the existing pie; there are too many of us for that. It's about baking a new pie.

Selecting Sarah Palin, who was touted all summer by Rush Limbaugh, is no way to attract most women, including die-hard Clinton supporters. Palin shares nothing but a chromosome with Clinton. Her down-home, divisive and deceptive speech did nothing to cosmeticize a Republican convention that has more than twice as many male delegates as female, a presidential candidate who is owned and operated by the right wing and a platform that opposes pretty much everything Clinton's candidacy stood for -- and that Barack Obama's still does. To vote in protest for McCain/Palin would be like saying, "Somebody stole my shoes, so I'll amputate my legs."

This is not to beat up on Palin. I defend her right to be wrong, even on issues that matter most to me. I regret that people say she can't do the job because she has children in need of care, especially if they wouldn't say the same about a father. I get no pleasure from imagining her in the spotlight on national and foreign policy issues about which she has zero background, with one month to learn to compete with Sen. Joe Biden's 37 years' experience.

Palin has been honest about what she doesn't know. When asked last month about the vice presidency, she said, "I still can't answer that question until someone answers for me: What is it exactly that the VP does every day?" When asked about Iraq, she said, "I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq."

She was elected governor largely because the incumbent was unpopular, and she's won over Alaskans mostly by using unprecedented oil wealth to give a $1,200 rebate to every resident. Now she is being praised by McCain's campaign as a tax cutter, despite the fact that Alaska has no state income or sales tax. Perhaps McCain has opposed affirmative action for so long that he doesn't know it's about inviting more people to meet standards, not lowering them. Or perhaps McCain is following the Bush administration habit, as in the Justice Department, of putting a job candidate's views on "God, guns and gays" ahead of competence. The difference is that McCain is filling a job one 72-year-old heartbeat away from the presidency.

So let's be clear: The culprit is John McCain. He may have chosen Palin out of change-envy, or a belief that women can't tell the difference between form and content, but the main motive was to please right-wing ideologues; the same ones who nixed anyone who is now or ever has been a supporter of reproductive freedom. If that were not the case, McCain could have chosen a woman who knows what a vice president does and who has thought about Iraq; someone like Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison or Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine. McCain could have taken a baby step away from right-wing patriarchs who determine his actions, right down to opposing the Violence Against Women Act.

Palin's value to those patriarchs is clear: She opposes just about every issue that women support by a majority or plurality. She believes that creationism should be taught in public schools but disbelieves global warming; she opposes gun control but supports government control of women's wombs; she opposes stem cell research but approves "abstinence-only" programs, which increase unwanted births, sexually transmitted diseases and abortions; she tried to use taxpayers' millions for a state program to shoot wolves from the air but didn't spend enough money to fix a state school system with the lowest high-school graduation rate in the nation; she runs with a candidate who opposes the Fair Pay Act but supports $500 million in subsidies for a natural gas pipeline across Alaska; she supports drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve, though even McCain has opted for the lesser evil of offshore drilling. She is Phyllis Schlafly, only younger.

I don't doubt her sincerity. As a lifetime member of the National Rifle Assn., she doesn't just support killing animals from helicopters, she does it herself. She doesn't just talk about increasing the use of fossil fuels but puts a coal-burning power plant in her own small town. She doesn't just echo McCain's pledge to criminalize abortion by overturning Roe vs. Wade, she says that if one of her daughters were impregnated by rape or incest, she should bear the child. She not only opposes reproductive freedom as a human right but implies that it dictates abortion, without saying that it also protects the right to have a child.

So far, the major new McCain supporter that Palin has attracted is James Dobson of Focus on the Family. Of course, for Dobson, "women are merely waiting for their husbands to assume leadership," so he may be voting for Palin's husband.

Being a hope-a-holic, however, I can see two long-term bipartisan gains from this contest.

Republicans may learn they can't appeal to right-wing patriarchs and most women at the same time. A loss in November could cause the centrist majority of Republicans to take back their party, which was the first to support the Equal Rights Amendment and should be the last to want to invite government into the wombs of women.

And American women, who suffer more because of having two full-time jobs than from any other single injustice, finally have support on a national stage from male leaders who know that women can't be equal outside the home until men are equal in it. Barack Obama and Joe Biden are campaigning on their belief that men should be, can be and want to be at home for their children.

This could be huge.

Data, a Scandanavian accent and seeing the world anew...

2008-09-01T21:30:00.005-07:00

I don't know if you look at the TEDTalks - there are often amazing speakers there. This one was passed along to me this week. I think it's rather astounding - you need a little time to watch it. Lindsay - I know you'll like it.

Still here - honest

2008-08-27T20:11:00.009-07:00

(Click photos to see larger.)

Dave, our former mayor, looking photogenic...

Morning hike

Mingulay early morning- a 55 foot idiot-proof vessel...

Fifteen feet from my kitchen door recently... "Yo Bruno!"

For a while now I've been posting less frequently than I used to. I am busy with work, as I mentioned... and I am trying to enjoy summer on the lake, as I mentioned... and supporting my kids takes time, as I mentioned.

What I might not have mentioned is that I'm also in an evolving relationship with someone who means a lot to me (Anna). Amazing what time and energy all those things together can take up...

I'm still here though, visiting your blogs once in a while and posting now and then.

I just returned from the 12th Annual Gentleman's Cruise A Palooza - a four day boat trip on Kootenay Lake, with a bunch of men friends. This year there was a smaller crew on the Mingulay - seven sailors. Cruising bays and inlets on the the 100 mile pristine lake, hiking, swimming, story-telling, bull-shitting, drinking and eating, card playing, singing around a fire - it was all there (and then there is the 'what happens on board stays on board stories). I came home grimy, stubbly, tired... and very happy.

The nights are cooler now, the days shorter and I hate to announce it, but I can feel fall in the air already. There's even bear poop in the yard some mornings, as they drop by at night to examine the fruit trees.

What's it like in your neck of the woods? Lindsay in Australia must be in the heat of summer and Gfid up north might have seen snow already. Interesting planet we find ourselves on...

And finally, since I AM rambling here... thanks so much Susan for the Kickass Award! I did register there, and will eventually get around to passing it along. Honoured my friend...

Proud dad posts song...

2008-08-15T21:20:00.004-07:00

Zoey in living room - in grad dress and hair extensions... but it's her

A few of you have asked about my daughter Zoey's music. She writes and performs her own material (vocal and piano). People seem to like her songs - the sweet and light ones and the more angst-ridden or deeper lyrics. I like them all but am biased and based on my own singing ability, have to question her paternity sometimes...

Thanks to fellow blogger and New Yorker extraordinaire Nova, I now have a link to one of Zoey's songs if you want a listen. Here's one of those I'd call sweet and light - it's called This is a love song

Thanks Nova.

The beat was kept

2008-08-10T12:38:00.007-07:00

Zoey performs...

Keep the Beat was a huge success. More than 1,000 Nelsonites and visitors came the to Lakeside Park to hear eight bands and to boogie in the warm sun and swim in the lake. At the end of the night, it appears that about $12,000 will be sent off to War Child Canada to help their work. It's becoming a community event that people look forward to, and a youth development project extraordinaire.

Check out some of the musicians (and their tunes):
James Lamb
Aspen Switzer
Miss Emily Brown
Mushana Marimba
Gemma Luna
Moither Mother
Kasia Juno

My daughter Zoey performed too - if anyone can tell me how to put an MP3 on the blog, I'll post one of her songs.

As the bookkeeper, roadie, police liaison, dad for all requests and orders... I was pooped for days.

The organizing crew - all the girls and Eli...

Rosie and Zoey decorate the park

Mother Mother rock the park