couple fresh tracks for u.

a couple fresh tracks for you... alloy remote2

Hi everybody, A few things to update you about. I went and checked out the AEMCON conference very briefly, bumped into an old friend and caught up with him. Missed the Warp Academy session, which I wanted to check out. Also, we are planning an art event at the Clubhouse, and we are hoping to get a couple DJs to perform. I learnt about Klesha attacks, which is a curious phenomenon that obstructs the consciousness from properly perceiving the environment. My health is good, I feel good, except for minor hiccups... I just did a test for a CPAP machine to aid my sleep. Isis Graham a local musician/dj/event planner, was named in the top 40 under 40 which is cool. My daughter is a few steps away from being a black belt in Taekwondo, which is so awesome! My sister gave birth to her baby boy, River. And they are both doing well. We had an intense conversation at the club on Thursday, discussing religion, politics, indigineity, the future, and canada. Trust in the process is an amazing thing.

Some reviews.

Nostalgia by M G Vassanji – a book review This book is a foray into the imagination. The Sunflower Centre for Human Rejuvenation is where the main character Frank Sina works. To me this book embodies a kind of collective consciousness that aims to break the seal of our bounded minds as creatures made of stardust. Frank is both a Doctor and a client. Presley Smith is a client of Frank’s. Frank’s girlfriend Holly is seeing another guy. This book touches delicately on the vast ocean between sublime domestic life and the intrigue and dangers of international affairs. There’s a kind of lucidity to this book that makes the Reader enter into a strange parallel dimension, where the conventions of normalcy really don’t apply. The Abyss - a film review This film is about a sub that encounters underwater aquatic life near the Cayman Islands. A team of elite personnel is sent to provide support. This movie was directed by the now quite famous James Cameron of Avatar fame. This movie portrays the high amount of pressure (pun intended), the always pervasive use of alluring romance in Hollywood, as well as the strict determination of seriousness when needed to deal with military operations, and perhaps the folly of human ingenuity being wasted on machinery of war. There was a special edition release of this movie. To me it seems this movie is making a correlation between the pursuit of an everlasting love and the chance of there being non-terrestrial intelligence. It is a subtle portrayal of deep water activity. The film was released August 9th, 1989, grossed $90,000,000 and won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. The film was largely filmed underwater with advanced methods and technology for the time. It ought to be noted the remarkable success James Cameron has had with his film career. Many of his films have been blockbusters, and a few have been elevated to Classic status. For example, Titanic is the highest grossing film of all time and generated over $2.18 billion worldwide. Also he pursued scientific endeavours as well, by constructing a deep sea vessel for going deeper in the ocean than anyone’s ever gone before. James himself did do this feat successfully. Avatar was another wildly popular film that is being produced into a series of 5. Man’s Search for Meaning - a book review This book is a profound account of a psychoanalyst being a prisoner during World War 2. This book belongs to the list of the top ten most influential books in the United States. It has been translated into 24 languages and sold over 10,000,000 copies. The unyielding optimism of this book can be felt in the translation of the German title which is “Nevertheless say yes to life”. He firmly believed even in the most miserable conditions one is able to be free to make a choice about how they deal with it. An interesting distinction he makes about the human race is that there are 2 kinds: decent and indecent. As much of a horror both World Wars were, it is akin to a breath of fresh air to know someone as wise and sincere as Viktor was able to learn and contribute his wisdom from having to endure such suffering at the hands of a very violent and disastrous political movement. Bitterness and disillusionment are 2 qualities he points out were mental health aspects that people who survived had to cope with. He makes a very clear distinction between being responsible and having freedom. Two qualities that seem to form a dichotomy. One of the key concepts that Frankl makes is the notion of Logotherapy which is the belief of striving for meaning being the primary driving force of being human. The concept is not religious or spiritual in nature. He also points to a number of obstacles that people could encounter on their path to find meaning. For me this is one of the most profound books I ever read. Not only did it move me in a way seldom felt but it proves to me that the human spirit is both resilient and indomitable when faced with huge challenges. Baraka a film review Baraka is an incredible documentary that was the first film ever to be scanned and restored at 8K resolution. The film is a video collage of phenomenon captured from 24 countries on six countries over a 14 month period. It combines photographic techniques such as slow motion and time elapse. There were two cameras used to execute the film’s perfectly controlled sequences. Locations include the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the Ryoan temple in Kyoto, Lake Natron in Tanzania, burning oil fields in Kuwait, the smouldering precipice of an active volcano, a busy subway terminal, tribal celebrations of the Maasai in Kenya, and chanting monks in the Dip Tse Chok Ling. Also it depicts long tracking shots through various settings such as Auschwitz and Tuol Sleng. Confucious a film review Confucius is a Chinese film featuring the well-known actor Chow-yun Fat. There is some controversy surrounding this film, mostly because of the very dear affinity many Chinese people have to this poet-philosopher who saw through many illusions of society and composed seminal works that still influence people all over the world to this day after over 2500 years. Confucius had a royal bloodline but belonged to the Shi class. He worked several government jobs as a twenty-something and became the Minister of Crime. The nemesis in this movie is the Hou Fan who were forced to flee their home state and seek revenge. More than anything the feuding states to me indicates a very dismal scenario and this is precisely, imo, what drove Confucius to seek exile in the North-East provinces of China. After quite some time he would return home to teach from a set of texts called the Five Classics. Ultimately, he was very interested in cultivating virtue as a sacred path for humans to step upon. The truly sublime nature could in fact be overdone by Chinese today who associate his words with deification, nonetheless he is one of many throughout history who’ve encountered a kind of religious perception of humans within nature that ought to be put into context on the world’s timeline. The True Believer - a book review This book by Eric Hoffer is an interesting investigation into the nature of mass movements and what motivates people to become a part of any given ideology. He makes the point that often times people can interchange between movements and ideas quite freely and this happens regularly. He cites “the desire for change” as the chief reason for people seeking out collectives, religions, political parties or groups to which to belong to. One of the interesting concepts that is brought up is that he suggests that for a mass movement to be successful, it requires a “total negation of self”. He also discusses fanaticism and how it seems to be associated with mass movements. Usually, there is a condemnation of the current social order, and a vilification towards something or someone or a group of people. There is also a point made about how what creates this desire for change is often isolation. Ultimately, the impetus for much of these mass movements is about a revolution of culture and society. He gives examples of leaders who were both good and bad in their uses of power. Some of the aspects of bad leadership include violence, torture, oppression and alienation. Some of the aspects of good leadership include effective change, higher awareness, and social cohesion. There is something deeply mysterious about the word hysteria. It is used when something is very funny, or overwhelmingly entertaining. Or it can be used to describe a kind of fervor. The word derives from the Greek word ‘Uterus’, which makes it even more perplexing. Similarly, a fanatic is someone is who is filled with excessive zeal. Often to do with religion or politics. In my very humble opinion, I think radical thought is something that can be good if it is tempered and substantially subdued by a safety control mechanism. Too often radical thought becomes an antithesis to its own efforts by the scale and magnitude of what it is trying to accomplish. Simplicity and mutual reciprocity go a very long way in buffering the likelihood of any systemic failure. A mass movement that seeks out to make normal a kind of trans-rational temporal state to which people can inhabit and manifest, the inherently good nature of human beings could cause an upheaval effective enough, and yet without any of unwanted side effects that so many have had in the past. Burt's Buzz - a film review This film is a biographical documentary about the life of Burt Shavitz, an eccentric fellow that started a honey company on a whim after being basically "luxuriously homeless" for a time in New York state in the US. It goes into great detail about his journey from a wandering young seeker to a successful international businessman and figurehead for a multimillion dollar company. One of the boosts in his career that he received was meeting his wife Ms. Quimby. She propelled the company along to great heights after being inspired by the potential of his idea. They tried a variety of personal hygiene products, and some became quite successful, and there was a continuing demand for some of their items. The business led him around the world, and meeting many people and making a lot of money. It is interesting to note that he stayed true to his lifestyle and lived in a country home. Controversy arose when his wife broke up with him, after his infidelity and she challenged him on the direction of the company. He backed away and took a payment which was considerably small considering the value of the company and how much it sold for a startling $970 million to a major corporation. Burt was a little disgruntled about this but I don't think it bothered him too much. He seemed to bounce back from this, although it was partly his fault. The Lucifer Principle by Howard Bloom - a book review This book by Howard Bloom investigates the idea of society as a superorganism, and that much of our activity is geared towards furthering the superorganism. This book was hugely controversial and still is to this day. Bloom is tremendously accomplished and worked in the music industry prior to starting his writing career. He was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue System in 1988. He was interested in Cosmology and microbiology from an early age. He founded the International Paleo-psychology Project. It is interesting to note the sheer bravery of the author to write about content that confronts such grandiose ideas such as that “evil” is a kind of programming, and that “perceptual shutdown” is something that inhibits further understanding. To me the point this book is trying to make, is that we must throw away all our conventions in order to overcome the mold we as a global superorganism are in. This attempt at understanding such a macrocosmic phenomenon is both ambitious and praise-worthy. At the same time, it is unsettling because it opens up a perception that is both a little scary and a little overwhelming but promising for the potential benefits a wider and more comprehensive understanding could yield. Cool Runnings -a film review This is a fun-loving film about a team of athletes that come together to train and participate in the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics in the bobsled event. The coach is played by John Candy, who is a straight-talking has-been that still has plenty of vigor and ambition left. One of the funniest moments for me was when Sanka is put in a freezer to acclimatize for the icy cold weather of Canada which I think was exaggerated in the film. He breaks off a piece of his dreadlocks because of the frigid temperature. A really cute moment is when Sanka kisses his lucky egg before each race. The team receives a large donation to fund their trip and they purchase a used bobsled and fix it up and give it a deadly paintjob. It ought to be mentioned that this film is based on a true story. The film was released on October 1, 1993 and was John Candy’s last film he did before he passed away. The strong Patois accent is noticeable in this film as is both the hint at social problems and a portrayal of a supportive community. When the event comes, the team qualifies on the second attempt and makes it to the final. On their final run they start off really great but encounter a rough patch and the sled crashes, Sanka is asked if he is dead and he replies “no” then the team picks up the sled and carries it across the finish line to the applause of the crowd. The team was met with sarcasm and disbelief when they arrived, and after showing they could compete they won the approval of their peers. John says an axiom of wisdom to inspire his athletes which is "A gold medal is a wonderful thing, but if you're not enough without it, you'll never be enough with.” This is a great piece of advice because it can apply to anyone’s life too. Jamaica’s short-track Summer Olympics team consistently prove their fitness on the world level. Jamaica means land of Wood & Water. Amid much of the turmoil and controversy of Jamaica’s history there are notable accomplishments such as State Independence in 1962 and the widespread appeal of Jamaica as a tourist destination. Unfortunately, due to corporations managing much of the business, a small percentage makes it to the communities of workers. Also there are social problems like unaffordable housing and violence. Also, extreme weather events are a danger to the Caribbean Island. Hurricanes, flooding and high winds have caused severe damage in the past. The soundtrack for Cool Runnings features a hit song “I Can See Clearly Now” which is still in regular radio play today. Gulliver’s Travels - a book review This book centres on the adventures of a man named Gulliver to strange and distant lands with strange and bewildering inhabitants. One of the places is Lilliput where everybody is really small. There is a considerable wit and almost a sardonic disdain for “realistic human society” in the writing style. For example Gulliver gets charged with treason for urinating in public. He then goes to Brobdingdang where he meets a farming family who are giants. There is a subtle commentary happening about politics. He then sets out to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Japan and Glubbdubdrib. He also has a discussion with several high profile ghosts. On the island of Luggnagg he meets immortals. There is also a very sophisticated dialogue happening about pluralism and cross-cultural understanding. A funny episode is when he meets the Yahoos and the talking horses. The Captain of his ship is a fellow by the name of Pedro de Mendez who is also a Yahoo. Upon returning to England he becomes a recluse, remaining in his house and spending time in his stables. Swift’s family was involved in Law, and he frequented both Ireland and England growing up. He was diagnosed Meniere’s disease and struggled with this for the rest of his life. Swift wrote his own epitaph which reads “ where fierce Indignation can no longer injure the Heart. Go forth, Voyager, and copy, if you can, this vigorous (to the best of his ability) Champion of Liberty. “ Belonging: Home Away from Home a book review Essentially, this book is about trying to define what “home” is. It is also a bit of a travel biography of a woman that travels and lives in France, Kenya, Canada and the Philippines. As she tells the story of the people and places she encounters along the way she learns lessons in life such as one example where she is asked to provide support for an old colleague in Kenya who had become ill and needed treatment. There is a kind of softness to this book, especially the period where she and her husband manage a parcel of land near a brook in rural France. There is drama with the locals that is portrayed in a quaint way. To me this book makes the point about how much travel can widen our worldview and expand our understanding of human society. I recommend this book. Isabel studied English and Philosophy in University. She also won first prize in a National Film Board contest for women scriptwriters for a film called “Celia Behind Me”. She struggled with her health for a few years, and underwent surgery. These days she is in good health. The question this book is asking is “where do we belong?” The Face of Love - a film review This drama is set on the West Coast of the USA. It was directed by Arie Posin and co-written by Matthew McDuffie. The story is about a widow who loses her partner in a drowning accident in Mexico. After visiting an art gallery she is stunned by a man that resembles her former partner. Interestingly, Robin Williams plays the role of her neighbor who is interested in her as well. She develops a relationship with this new man and she becomes infatuated with him. Her daughter shows up and they get into an argument because of the strange nature of the situation. Then they part ways, and she receives a post card in the mail about an art show. Curiously, she is painted with a wall of green grass by her partner - that was the most striking part of the movie for me. It was a very well done movie, but the “happily ever after” just wasn’t there.

A response.

In response to Leefers, and Castillo's scientific article "Habitat Fragmentation and Native Bees: a Premature Verdict?". A thorough understanding of the importance of bees, as pollinators for much of the food that the food chain relies on either directly or indirectly would go a long way in placing a much more comprehensive emphasis on the ecology and its imperative aspect to our civilization. It ought to be understood that there have been too few studies on the social aspect of bees that pollinate our ecosystems. Some key pieces of data that may intrigue you that I found interesting are: generally bees forage locally in a radius of 2.8km from their nest. North and Central America are home to more than 25 bee species of the genus Diadasia. This idea that bees are a pivotal species in landscape complementation that possesses relationships and dynamics that form symbiosis and/or sustenance with plants and the Earth. All bees like nectar but they are particular to a few species of flowers. The matrix of life is a crucial component in beginning to fathom just how important bees are to the Earth’s ecology. Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate a bee based on physical qualities when the behaviours may be different, like nesting in ground cavities for example. As an example of this, there was a study done in Argentina where 43 bee species were captured, only 3 of them were identified. This is changing as scientists share information, and create a collection from which to base further study. Whether a nest is free-standing, in a log, or in the ground or even on adobe walls constitutes a preference for the type of bee. To extrapolate the issue even more, the greater dilemma of ecological sustainability and integrity within the working structure of economics can be idealistically realized as integrating a socio-economic framework of co-existing with environmental policy making.

www.jg-lab.com/Arts/morningcalm(inyun%20rendition).mp3