Videos that should be seen ( but rarely are)

I know that one can do a lot of searching on YouTube for obscure bands and come up with a lot, but other times nil. I listen to the Current but also run into many in odd ways also. I will go through some videos that are unique, creative, and yet still entertaining.

Mates of State - this band is awesome. I can't decide which video of theirs to put here, but will put one that perhaps is a good intro to them. I do like "Like you crazy" and "Fraud in the 80'S' Also. I can't remember where I read this, but someone described seeing them live and said they are practically making out through their music. They are a band to watch!

This is a bit zany, but it HAS to be seen! Imagine a disco music video with muppets! Yes, I know. Interesting. But I think the level of work in syncing the muppets with this song is incredible! And quite a creative endeavor!

Bat for Lashes is a bit Björk-like. Maybe that is why I dig her so much? But I like this video because it's dark, creepy, but has a simple beat and is emotional. It is also deserving of being seen, and perhaps is one of the best independent music videos of 2007.

Scissor Sisters are big in Europe and the UK. I didn't know who they were, and was introduced to them by watching Doctor Who with the evil Master singing to their tunes. Anywho, they are disco-like. I'd say they are like a newer Bee Gees.

Anywho, hope y'all enjoy them!

Easter Eve

I)Shopping

Today was QUITE interesting. It is the first Saturday I have had without Josiah so far in 2008 and I am not sure what to do with myself apart from keep busy. SO...I did.

I went shopping! I exchanged a couple videos and Blockbuster, then got my Yuban coffee on sale at Rainbow. Then I hopped over to Target to get a Radio/MP3/CD Player boombox for my living room.

Upon getting home, I checked out the player, and it worked okay. But on my older MP3 cds,it tended to skip 1/2 seconds every so often. It played a newer one fine. I am going to test an audio drama I am recording right now from my iMac. Can't wait to listen to the new Doctor Who I just downloaded! Though I almost wish they made a Torchwood one now! Man that show is hot!

Then I cleaned the living room while listening to some older faves of mine.

II) America's Financial system and Peak oil discussion

Lynne Mayo invited me to attend a discussion at her place about issues that concern both of us more than the average citizen. I will go into this topic more on the Multipartisan blog.

It is interesting to note that Dureti mentioned the night before (on break ) that she was interested in these money-making schemes known as derivatives. She knows people that make money on it, and she feels just as deserving. Of course, I told her this was gambling, which...it is. But day-trading can be thrilling for some. I prefer real work with real benefits. But some wish to work "smarter not harder." Though I prefer to serve regardless.

III) Easter celebration with Jehovah's Witnesses

Tim and Myrtle Williams invited me to attend this celebration at Sabathani Community Center. I accepted. It is amazing, because this was held in the same room where I attended my first Green Party function!

Anyways, one might find it odd that I am a Buddhist who hangs out with Jehovah's Witnesses. But they are exceedingly nice, and even though I don't agree with resisting blood transfusions(or their view on sin or everlasting life), I like a lot of their perspective on the Bible. And Buddhism doesn't prohibit me from celebrating other beliefs, which is ironic as I am celebrating with people who have this as their only holiday which is Nisan 14 and not Easter! I really enjoyed my time there. As wonderful as it was, I didn't hang out with them at Christo's afterwards.

IV) Shopping again

I did what I had already planned. I went to Rainbow for another can of Yuban. You see, there was a limit on how many one could buy - one. And they were $6.50 off! I love them, and I also wanted the organic canned green beans on sale for a dollar each. Paper bags were important too.

V) Following my instincts

I already knew before I went to Sabathani my plan for the night. I would go there, then to Rainbow, then take the #21 to Bloomington and take the #14 home. I usually take the train home, but somehow I KNEW that I needed to do that. And there seems to be a reason I listened to these strong instinctual-like feelings.

While waiting for the #21 just outside Blockbuster, a #7 dropped people off. Just as it was leaving, a man shouted to have someone stop the bus. I did. Had I not been there, the bus would have left him. The couple other people at the stop didn't seem as enthusiastic about doing anything.

The odd feeling about taking the #14 at Bloomington didn't seem to make sense. But I followed it. I waited there with this beautiful young woman. But she didn't know her buses, and needed to get to Robbinsdale. I assumed every 14 went there - they don't. So when the bus got there, the driver told her to wait for the next bus.

As we were about to drive off and leave her there, she shouted to stop and I let the bus driver know. Had I not been there, he would have never done so. She got on because she would have to wait 30 minutes out in the cold ( silly as it is, she didn't have a hat with her)! The bus would stop at a transit station that was warmer and would allow her to transfer to the correct bus. I wished her a good night as I got off on 24th Street.

VI) Audio Dramas and then.....

Okay, I made myself some tea and will have some chips and salsa. Have these while listening to the audio drama on the MP3 CD I just made while typing this. Perhaps I should write my first review of these. Or just go to sleep afterwards....zzzzz

Greenwashing ads in south Minneapolis

It is humorous how this project self-imploded. Even with political insiders like Barb Johnson supporting this. But it was not destiny and did create casualties. I was fired for blogging over this, so I assume the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community or its members were also investors. ( These investors were never disclosed. ) To the left is an exemplary example of greenwashing I clipped from the Southside Pride.

Don't believe the hype. Research everything.

Midtown Burner

I) City Council

I woke up late this morning - at 8:50. I intended to be downtown by 9AM to meet with group opposed to the Midtown Burner. There is a possibility that the Minneapolis city council will consider adding to their agenda at the last minute a specific proposal that Kandiyohi
may need- more time to purchase the burner from the city.

I quickly cleaned up to go, got some clothes on, and then ran to the LRT station on Franklin. I got there just minutes after a train went by. Fortunately, I wasn't the only one. Jen was there with her daughter and we waited 35 minutes without a train showing up!! She decided to drive downtown and find parking, and offered me a ride since she was recruited to go to City Hall as well. Still not sure why the LRT was down, but dozens of people were late to the meeting because of it!

Even more fortunate, the council did NOT add this to the agenda. I did witness the entirety of the meeting. The city is doing nice things like Earth Hour 2008, though it is more symbolic than long-term in solutions.

They also approved some "sidewalk improvements" on Broadway Avenue in north Minneapolis. I personally think that is even more symbolic, and will assess business owners on that street excessively for little gain. I have walked on the sidewalks of Broadway in the summer, and didn't see much foot traffic to garner such an "improvement." But I don't live on north-side, so I will have to talk to others about this innovation.

It was good to see all the support against the burner show up. Greens like Farheen Hakeem were there and Phillips neighbors of all political persuasions! I am thankful we had such great organizers like Carol Pass, Dave Bicking, and others whom I should know their names! Cam Gordon ( Ward 2- Green ) and Gary Schiff ( Ward 9 - DFL ) both thanked us for being there. These two council members have shown adamant support for the people of East Phillips on this issue.

The big issues with the burner are

1) That the particulate matter in East Phillips is already excessive. Burning even wood would make things exceedingly worse
2)That there isn't enough wood in the Twin Cities to support this, and it would have to rely on more toxic treated woods, and possibly garbage in the long-term.

But we need more to contact our council members and Mayor Rybak to let them know where we stand! More info here:http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dd9thxh2_48gfvnmb8p
---

II) Cavlan discussion

Last but not least, I run into Michael Cavlan ! His son's 18th birthday today and they were out and about. Michael has been heavily participating in preparation for the Republican National Convention Welcoming Committee on behalf of the Peace Movement.

He was quite thankful that Minneapolis has Cam Gordon on the city council, as he is working to stop a so-called "Free speech committee" to oversea protesters during the convention. The ordnance proposed by Mayor Rybak and Council Member Gordon, would ask any group of 25 or more to voluntarily apply for a permit any time they intended to protest anything during the RNC. Council Member Ralph Remington is opposed to this, believing no group should have to apply for a permit for "free speech."

Buddhism while Pluto is in Capricorn

I think it interesting how Americans are shopping for faith more than anytime before. At one time, you were expected only to choose your denomination of Christianity, and then despise those of others. Now America's Christian branches continue to proliferate, while other religions that sprouted long ago and beginning to grow.

Most of these non-Christian faiths are growing due to immigration. But one has adherents that are over 3/4 American born: Buddhism. This makes it unique in this time in history, and could predicate its future growth. I purchased A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle when first published, because he shares the concept of mindfulness in ways few Westerners can. And now Oprah has made this book published in 2005 a bestseller in 2008.

Leah Seelhoff says that because Pluto is now in Capricorn, we will all have to adjust to a radically changing world where nothing is stable. All that we have attachments to will have to be let go or we go with them. It is interesting to note that Oprah made this announcement to have this book be in her club on January 26th the same day Pluto went into Capricorn. And it is also fascinating that astrologists are predicting this age to be one where we must live in the "now" and experience human population decline.

This is all fine with me, though it will not be simple to live in. I have worked to live a green life, foregoing even the delights of car-ownership. Now that oil is skyrocketing and the existence of peak oil finally reaching the mainstream, we know that having our collective heads in the sand is not working. It is time to wake up to reality, reign in our overconsumption and improve our compassion for all beings.