Desperation is sometimes as powerful an inspirer as genius.

-Benjamin Disraeli

In 1993, I spoke with Allen Ginsberg about his recollection of early sixties rock. He said that he had been at the Dom, the old Polish community hall in the East Village that was a popular bar at the time. He said that the Beatles came on the jukebox, "I Want to Hold Your Hand," and everybody started dancing. He said his first impression of the music was its unbounded joy. Later, he called rock music "the revenge of Africa." He said it was a return to the body after centuries of living in the head -- that the hyperintellectual culture of the capitalist industrial militarist west was finally being taught to shake its ass.

More here: http://www.realitysandwich.com/meet_beatles_again_0

During my youth I was a huge fan of Bruce Cockburn, now I'm not sure how or why his material got so much radio play in those days but believe me it did. Two of my favorite songs If I had a Rocket Launcher and If a Tree falls both saw a lot of play not just because they were good songs in themselves but I think because of certain rules on Canadian content on radio. If it weren't for some of those rules that people harp on some of the time I'm not sure it would have gotten as much recognition.

Those songs inspired a lot of people I think to pay attention to issues happening else where whether they be B.C., Brazil or Guatemala.

A few Cockburn fans put together this site (endorsed by Cockburn himself) that talk about Toronto and it's influence on him as a songwriter. If you are a geek about this like I am you will probably like this. http://cockburnproject.net/toronto/guide.html. There are all sorts of notes and miscellany about the songs themselves and often there are notes about Toronto and it's influences on the music.

I'm sure every Canadian was exposed to this song:

[robbed from Sabotabby in exchange for small pox blankets]

[Thanks to foms}

Check out www.forvo.com. It's simply awesome.

Thanks to gabriel_le


I think it pulled punches. It would have been more effective to show (through drama not actual violence) the riot goons spraying pepper spray in the eyes of little kids and hitting young children with batons.

That would be even more effective an ad.

People might get the point.

Warning: Graphic tales of hardcore fruit bat fellatio at http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/10/chinese-fruit-bats-engage-in-unusual-sexual-behavior.php

Here's my Johari window meme. I'm getting around to everyone else's as well.
http://kevan.org/johari?name=Rbowsprite

http://zenhabits.net/2009/10/the-breath-of-god-inspiration-method/

...my "divinely touched" sources would be:
-The Stars
-A bike ride on a clear cool day.
-Lying in some cool grass on a warm day.
-People who reach for the sky and help others regardless of their lot on life, especually those far worse off than I. (William Kamkwamba, Alec Clelland, Chandra Mohany,
-Since film is perhaps the best medium to send a critical message in this day and age, truly inspiring filmmakers like Robert Greenwald, Robert Kenner(sp?) and Greg MacGillvray.
-Helping or being there for friends, not just when they are in crisis.
-Lots of trees and rocks, beautiful natural surroundings.
-Kayaking
-Animals and the lessons we learn from them about acceptance and love.
-Helping someone with a really difficult problem or reference question.
-A well written book, one that makes you pause to take it in, cry or just say "wow" out loud.
-A really well executed tale. Something that challenges or inspires.
-Really awesome music be it folk, contemporary, rock, industrial, queercore, new age or trance.
-Kids! Willing to be "real" and themselves before the world "gets to them".

What;s your inspiration?

The problem with LJ: we all think we are so close, but really, we know nothing about each other. So ask me something you want to know about me. Something that should be obvious, but you have no idea about. Ask away. Then post this in your LJ and find out what people don't know about you.

Comments unscreened.

Best buy is selling seasons of Battlestar Galactica for 22.99! All but the two most recent (4.0 and 4.5) I believe.

I'm thinbking of hosting a dinner (as has been the norm in the past) for Samhain. The evening could include some divination and light amounts of booze.
Poll #1473781 If we had a Samhain dinner would you likely attend?
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 14

Would you?

Date? (pick the best)

Note: My preference is for the Sunday but I can do Friday for sure. I totally understand schedules being what they are this time of year.

More about politeness and how it silences us as active citizen's and agents of change that are part of a process.

http://lightcastle.livejournal.com/685091.html

Note: These posts re politeness give me such a huge feeling of "I knew it! I've always known it to be "true" and to hold real dignity, real weight or meaning for me but I've never been able to say it. When told through someone else's particular words, an unconfirmed truth that one holds dear to oneself somehow becomes more "true". It's no longer isolating.

It's even better when all that can be framed perfectly eloquently.

...than I've ever been able to articulate to my readers.

Thanks to lightcastle and someone called sparkymonster

Folks making change are rarely "polite".

This quote is a lovely finger in the face of "politeness" and it's ability to silence what needs to be said when it needs to be said.

"There's just no way to politely challenge privilege, because the privileged party defines politeness."

Here's the article that they posted for context (as if you need it):
http://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/article/view/172/119

I must admit I eat out far too much.

I have however mastered the art of knowing what places serve what in terms of vegetarian dishes. I have also tasted almost everyone's veggie burger and I can say this with authority. Most are bland and unremarkable, a few are OK and a couple are yummy.

I often go get a veggie burger when I've either a) forgotten my lunch at home b) I'm in a rush and didn't make a lunch or c) I'm out and about and have to deal with inconvenience of hunger or a sugar crash and have little to no other option in the area.

Some of these are only vegetarian in the abstract notion of such. There made by evil corps that make the vast majority of their fortunes exploiting animals I know, and I know they aren't cooked on a seperate grill they often contain other animal by-product ingredients to make them yummier but let's ignore all that.

Have you ever had a veggie burger from a small or large fast food chain and if so which are your favorite(s).

NOTE: This is of course open to meat-eaters and anyone whose either hated or enjoyed a veggie burger.

Poll #1458772 Best widely available veggie burger
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 13

Which one of these is best?

Which was the worst you've ever tasted?

I usually post there and feed to LJ automatically but the rash of joiners has stopped and it just seems to not be taking off like it should. I really want to see it do well.

This interview paints Frank as a Radical farming/homesteading Sci-fi technopeasant.

http://marukuwato.multiply.com/journal/item/214/DUNEs_author_interview_Mother_Earth_News

I know very little about most authors personal lives. My relationship with authors is usually only through their stories.

Because finding a link of this is getting harder these days.

So says I.

There it is done.

_{If only it were that easy.}
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