Tuesday, September 28, 2010

the nature of things..?..

Sept 28, 2010
So I just got back from seeing the one and only David Suzuki speak in front of a packed theater here in Montreal and it was absolutely outstanding. There is nothing more incredible then seeing some one who is a big inspiration to oneself talk deliver an outstanding feature focusing all around life, and the mother of life- the earth.
I remember David Suzuki from seeing his program “The Nature of Things” on CBC when I was a child. Thinking back to those times I don’t think I was truly old enough to understand everything he was talking about in his programs but there was something I would always resonate with. His demeanor, vibe, image, hair, and his voice were all something truly unique. A Canadian icon. So when I read he was speaking in Montreal it was something I would not miss.
David spoke about life for about an hour and it was something else.
Definition:
Life- the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
To sum this up. Everything as we know it.
He first started his speech focusing on about 4 billion years ago when there was no life, and if we were to arrive on earth at the moment we would instantly die without air. So if we were giving air masks then what would be able to see what was next. Water! and how water was formed through gases, and condensation which eventually leads to rivers, and lakes..earth’s veins. Up next was our energy sources and how the sun creates all fuels on this planet in which life wouldn’t be able to survive with out. Fire!
Water, Air, and Fire.
It was pretty funny when he brought up those white hooded freaks whom call themselves the Ku Klux Klan and about life originating from Africa. Haha. Boneheads!!
Other highlights were
-the greek meaning of “eco” which means- “home”, and how “eco”nomics / “eco”logy do not go hand in hand, and one definitely currently triumphs the other.
- the human population in 1927 was 2 billion and now in 2010 we are at around 6.5+ billion. That’s enormous growth which is a major contributing factor to everything that is happening on this planet.
I have gone through periods of major pessimism in the past, and still do sometimes, but I also have seen some people whom I love with all my heart (family and friends)-because they are the most wonderful people Ive come across- give birth to a new life which gives me optimism. The major thing is this new future generation has to be re-connected back to the planet.
This means mud pies and all, grass stains on the pants, playing in the parks until you hear your mum yelling “it’s super time”, building forts out of tree branches, swimming in actual lakes, stepping on bee hives while looking for golf balls in the fields to sell back to the golf course for $.05 a pop, having to take a poop, taking that poop in the fields, and wiping your lil tush with leaves, camping, learning how to build fires, the smell of those actual fires, and on and on we go.
I do write all this but am still a major player in the destruction of the planet which is one of the weirdest things to think about. The other day I had my belongings stolen including my phone, and Ipod so the first thing I did was replace these items. A new Ipod, and I opted for a new Iphone. Yesterday I found myself looking at my new toy/s and getting quite sad thinking about the process which turned these metals, and materials into this material thing. Honestly I know that no matter my thoughts I do need a phone, and honestly no matter which one I chose the process to make this object would be the same.
We have created a weird little world for ourselves but a world which isn’t focused on the actual “world/ planet/ earth”. A world which has been focused on ourselves for to long, and it’s something we all have the power to change but the only way this will happen is if we do take a hard look at our own lives, and the connection we have to this planet.
No individual is perfect in any sense. It’s been 200 000 years since-humans as we know it- started walking this planet and it hasn’t been a perfect ride. We all need a reconnection to the soil, the water, the birds, the bird shit that lands on you as you walk along the street, the air that keep’s us alive every breathe we take, the sun which gives us energy, and the rest of life as we know it.
Who knows? Haha..This is all just personal thoughts that have been recorded for personal use. Im no different then anyone else.

Monday, September 13, 2010

AM!

Sept 10, 2010

The other night I attended Against Me!, the Flatliners, and Young Livers show in Montreal which was something I was looking forward to for quite sometime as I knew I would be home.

The last time I saw Against Me! (about 6 months ago in Burlington, VT) it was one of the funnest times I have had at a show in years, and I’m talking years. Most shows I attend these days I am usually part of through work which means I have to constrain myself and be responsible to get things done. All the other shows I attend I do attend because I want to, and am sometimes a fan of the band (sometimes not!) but still keep it chilled and constrained.

Not with Against Me!

This past show (as well as the show in Burlington) I was right up front against the barricade singing along as loud as I could, surrounded by an excited sweaty crowd which gave me the biggest grin all night long. Totally amazing, and needed as its something that never happens anymore with me. Bringing the youthfulness out is always a treat.

AM! is an incredible band live, an incredible band recorded, and all incredible fellows. Watching them play, their interactions with each other on stage, and with the crowd is a treat within itself. Truly amazing.

Also that night I had 2 good friends-Dave, and Mike- who I grew up with in California playing in the Young Livers which made the night even better. The last time I saw both Dave, and Mike would have been about 2 years ago but I was so busy that only a “Hey! Hows it going!” could be said. So catching up, and talking about stories when we were all a lot younger was pretty special. Both individuals I respect so much, and have had a big part in my story.