Benjamin's Story

May 24th, 2007

I left to work feeling anxious as it was our baby's due date. Going to work each day was getting harder as we approached the big day, I just didn't like leaving her home alone. It was a busy day at the office and with many friends asking if it had happened yet, it made for the longest day ever. Around 1:00 p.m. she called me saying she had been dancing at home to the sounds of Ben Harper when she started feeling some lower back pain. She felt different and knew that it was the beginning.

When I got home I made a good hearty dinner for us just in case it actually was to happen she would have some good energy. "If" I thought. Of course I was in denial that it was going to happen yet. The baby hadn't dropped, no water - we're not even close I thought. After dinner she was still complaining of some lower back pain and some how that message of pain travelled all the way to Hawaii to one of her close friends. The phone rang and it was Theresa calling from the sunny shores of Hawaii. She had a feeling Keli was getting closer to labour so she gave her a call. Upon hearing about the back pain she immediately called our mutual friend Jannie, a massage therapist, to see if she was free to come down to relieve Keli of some pain.

As Jannie answered the phone it was her turn up to bat as she was playing baseball that night. By 8:00 p.m. Jannie had arrived at our place and got right to work. Soon after relieving some of the pressure Keli started to have some small contractions. "Did you keep time on that one," she asked. I assured her it was the same time as the last one, still in denial. Of course over the next couple of hours the contractions progressed from ten seconds long to thirty seconds long. Our midwife Terry Lynn, who just lives down the street, came by to check out the progress. Keli was actually already 4 cm dilated. No more denial. Terry Lynn went home to get some rest before having to deliver the baby which was going to happen sooner than later.

About an hour later the contractions were almost up to a minute long and coming very fast. Time to head to the hospital. Jannie had been such a godsend that night that she definitely had to come to the hospital with us. There was a great energy with the three of us so we just kept it going. We arrived at the hospital just after 11:00 p.m. only to find out there were no nurses around and all the beds were full, and the new maternity ward upstairs was closed. Welcome to the new age of Canadian health care. Lucky for us Keli was hitting some intense contractions and was further along than the other mothers waiting, so we jumped in line and settled into our room.

We immediately filled up the tub which of course was not as big as the birthing suites we were shown a month ago at the pre-natal course. Then I went to put some music on their stereo which of course wasn't working. But I'm not complaining, no room for any negative energy in this room. So into the bathroom we went. Keli working out her contractions in the warm water, Jannie summoning all the gods and goddesses into the room while she massaged her lower back and then there was me, the daddy to be. I simply focused on Keli the whole time, coaching her through her breathing and reassuring her with all the love and encouragement every step of the way. The contractions were hardcore. She was definitely in pain and I fought back my own tears and stayed strong so she wouldn't freak out even more. She stayed determined but with all these excruciating contractions and not being able to push yet, it was becoming very frustrating. Having already decided to have a natural birth I was surprised when she cryed out that she would want something for the pain. But just as she had that thought our midwife examined her and realized she was already 8cm dilated so it was finally time to get ready to push. Thank god.

So it was here during the pushing stage that I fell deeply in love once again with my wife. I was so proud and I was in complete admiration of her strength and perserverance. As we shifted on to the bed for the last stages of labour she was purely focused on her goal - to deliver a healthy beautiful baby - sooner than later. Keli had spent a lot of time during her pregnancy talking to the child inside and visualizing herself giving a quick birth. No 40 hours for her, no way. As the pushing continued Jannie and the midwife would see the head start to show and I would take a look from where I was standing in front of Keli, encouraging her and reminding her to breath and when and when not to push. Before you knew it the whole head was sticking out and a split second later the rest of the body slipped right out. The midwife put the baby immediately on her chest and I had the biggest smile on my face, it was so surreal, yet I didn't see if it was a boy or girl yet. Then they said it was a boy as he turned his head towards me and momma. Of course it was unlike any other feeling or experience I had ever had and instantly the word family came into my mind. Our family.


While everyone attended to Keli making sure everything was fine with her and checking the baby's heartbeat the three of us just kept staring at eachother in total bliss. Soon it was time to weigh him and clean him up, he came in at 8lbs and one and half ounces and was born at 5:34 a.m. May 25th 2007. A while later I gave him his first diaper change and he did not disappoint. Soon it was time to feed and like a good junior Chico, he latched on without dropping a beat. When he fell asleep I couldn't help notice that his head would slightly bob up and down like he was listening to a song. Saweet!!!

So everything was going fantastic. The midwife was super happy and proud since Keli gave a natural birth and everyone was doing great. After doing some paperwork she said that we would be transferred upstairs for them to monitor baby and mom for a better part of the day but if we wanted to go home she could arrange that. Well, absolutely we'd love to return back to the House of Love, especially with the support of our midwife just down the street, plus Keli's parents would be arriving any moment too. So about six hours after baby Benjamin was born the three of us headed to the car and were on our way home.

Back home there were moments of disbelief. We couldn't believe we had been in a hospital for a mere 12 hours and were already home but it just felt right.The first weekend together was great with some visits from other small children, family and friends. Ben has been a star and his mother the ultimate supahstah! The three of us just keep bonding, huge smiles all around as every moment was a first and will continue to be for some time. We are both thrilled. We are at peace. We are in love.

Dear Sweetheart

Dear Sweetheart,

Well this morning started smoothly enough until I realized I was five blocks down the street without the keys to the office. So now that I was running late I decided to take the Aquabus across the water into Yaletown, instead of the nice walk across the Cambie bridge.

The ocean scents drifted into my lungs and immediately placed my mind on vacation. Almost instantly my thoughts escaped to a tranquil oasis by Kalamalka lake, the Pacific Ocean or alongside the shore of Au Leuk Bay in Thailand. My body momentarily attempted to join my mind on this journey and suddenly the sounds of the workers and piledrivers whispered away, the traffic jam - gone, only the distant sound of seagulls could slightly penetrate this morning bliss. I simply imagined the three of us on hiatus from the system and taking the time and pleasure to get to know eachother well, especially the newest addition to the family. Soon my little boat came to pick me up and all I could hold on to was the scent of the ocean. That ebb and flow to life that keeps it going, keeps battling the waves in search of a shoreline only to set sail again and again for new land, a new home.

This weekend was filled with great visits from family and friends. We watched two documentaries one called What Children Want which was fantastic and another called The Lost Ancient Civilization by Graham Hancock. We painted the crib and did some more design work in the baby's room. We checked our lists and kept wondering if we had forgotten anything but we feel prepared. I think we are doing great and most of the credit must go to you sweetheart.

Since the exciting day we did the pregnancy test and confirmed our loving efforts were rewarded with a plus sign, it has been an incredible joy and honour to experience all of this with you. Your spirit, grace and loving acceptance of this part of your life's journey has been inspiring to be a part of with you. Watching your heart grow as your little belly moved around with anticipation each day, the ever present glow that radiated all around you. I am truely blessed and thankful for the last nine months of awe and I will continue to be right by your side for the next precious weeks and the many years to come.

As we get closer and closer to the special day I just want to tell you "you're amazing" just like a little six year old niece said years ago. Thank you for taking care of this miracle and I look forward to seeing your beauty, love, humour, energy, wit, intelligence, creativity and spirit in our loving child. Whoo-hoo, I'm excited.

Dear Baby

Dear Baby,

I've been thinking a lot about you over the last year but even more so the last few days. Your mom has been doing an incredible job of taking care of you inside her and making sure that only love surrounds you both. She is really happy and just looks so natural watching you move around in her tummy every day. We've taken a lot of pictures to show you when you've grown up, we even have footage of you performing ninja moves in the belly - you are very active! So that must mean you love basketball like your dad!?!!

On my way to work this morning I was thinking of writing this letter to you today. You see, I love to write and have been writing for years but lately I haven't been doing much writing. There have been many changes as you can imagine leading up to your impending birth in just a few weeks. Every time I thought about writing a new Observation I ended up just keeping it to myself. I guess most of my thoughts are about our new family and the time we are going to spend with you, thoughts that just made more sense in my head and in my heart then sharing with the rest of the world I guess. In the past I've written about things that I'm very passionate about like world politics, the environment and the arts - especially music - but I'm sure you already know that from our headphone sessions together.

Politics and the environment are always sensitive topics and since 9/11 I haven't always been the most popular person with some of my Observations. The funny thing is that right now the truth is coming out all around us. Slowly, more and more people are talking, debating, sharing their thoughts and feelings on failing US foreign policy and on how each individual can begin making changes in their own lives to help the environment. Your mom and I have faith in the spirit of humanity to do their best, to ultimately live a loving and purposeful life. But enough of the realities already -

I can't wait to hold you in my arms. I can't wait to see you in your mothers arms. I can't wait to hear you laugh and watch you smile. I can't wait until it is you giving us hugs and kisses. I can't wait until you take your first steps, throw your first ball, ski your first hill......I just can't wait! Get your little butt out here already.

We hope you have a safe journey and when you're ready I'll be right here to catch you and put you in your mothers arms. Peace little sunshine, peace.

Career, Baby & Man Of The Year

Thursday Feb.22
Its 8:20 a.m. on a Thursday morning, the skies are grey and amidst all the skyscrapers around us, it feels even darker. Things are quiet on the 7th floor here in downtown Vancouver as people continue to slowly wake up to their daily work routine. As I wait for my pile of transfer documents to land on my desk for processing I can only do what comes so natural to me – painting with words.

Here, within these paragraphs, I can release my morning thoughts, observations, dreams, and frustrations. By the end of it all I am full of insight and clarity. It’s just the way it goes – most days. Tomorrow marks the end of two weeks at this temporary gig which has been okay so far. Most nights I head back home and scour the career listings in this city, finding out about new companies and researching ideal places to contract work. Tonight I have my weekly basketball and the in-laws are coming to visit.

My wife has about 15 weeks or so to go until our baby arrives, it’ll be great to hang out with some family this weekend. Last night as I lay beside her with my hand on her belly I would follow all the strong kicks everywhere they went. Sometimes I would give a little kick back, feeling as though we had some preliminary communication going on between father and child. It’s pretty mind blowing. Something you’ll never forget, these unmatched feelings of anticipation that come with pregnancy. I can only imagine the immensity of what my wife is feeling.

The other night we watched the new Robin Williams film, Man of the Year. It was fantastic! I would highly recommend it to everyone; in fact, right now I believe it’s a great companion to the documentary Inconvenient Truth. This film has some of the best writing I’ve heard in a long time. It was reminiscent of many of the discussions I have heard among friends over the last few years, as well as from people who I wish were my friends like Jon Stewart. It almost felt like the film may have been written about Jon Stewart in some ways. I won’t tell you anymore except I think you’ll be very surprised by this film and how much it managed to say.

Final thoughts for the day.

Beats – I’m working on a new 1.5 hour mix to hopefully upload by next week. I’m loving this mix with tracks by Eamon, Fujiya and Miyagi, DJ Shadow, The Knife and other aural delicacies.

Images – Check out photographer Javier Lovera's website. I met him in Toronto through Steve Carty – who just updated his website recently too. Talented folks.





Words – Hopefully you’ve read this all. : )

Design – nothing new this week

Love – did you read it all?

Life – here we are.

Politics – Watch “Man of The Year”

Monday Feb.26
Holy mac! What a week! It's been less than a week since I wrote the above and it feels like so much has already happened. Gone is the brief time warp back into the ivory tower in the financial sector and say hello to the media & communications world again. Friday I received word of a great new gig with a great company called The Ace Film Company which started today. I'm back in class for the last course in my business program. Baby is still kicking. Lots of things happening more to come soon. "Oh happy day. Oh happy day."

Thanks for stopping by and reading. Hope you enjoyed this latest installment of Chico’s Observations.

www.phreeagent.com
Chico Observations

Working Sounds of Expecting Father In The Raw

Friday
Just write it. Since this new year started I have been tested constantly. Two weeks into 2007 I found out I am out of work while my wife is expecting a baby in a few months. The pressure is on to find that stable career to get this family on the right path. It’s been a month of contacting everyone in the Rolodex and applying to fifty job openings. All those opportunities have lead to two callbacks and one interview. With all the postings requesting no phone calls there hasn’t been a chance to convince anyone with my charm, wit and sincerity. So all the effort goes into the written word attempting to hold someone’s attention long enough for him or her to pick up the phone.



One of the challenges has been to keep a positive mind frame while feeling isolated in this search. So far my positive outlook continues to get me through these days but I’m definitely feeling the need to confirm some employment this week, today. In two hours I have a meeting with a new temp employment agency that I hope will get me back to work quickly.

My other challenge has been a lack of a definitive job description that I am looking for. With a degree in Political Science and years of experience under my belt in the music, financial and real estate industries, it seems that my diversity is possibly hindering my chances of securing work. I remember guidance counselors in high school emphasizing the importance of having a diverse university application that not only highlighted good marks but also demonstrated a well-rounded student. Someone involved in the community and other projects outside school. Although I still believe in what I was told I do wish that I had found something in University to focus on and specialize. At the time my strongest belief was my ability to work in the music industry and help find and develop Canadian talent. There was part of me that thought I would be in the music industry forever; I had truly found my calling, my place in this work world. Like all things in life – things changed.

Of course life has been changing so rapidly in the last ten years and many of us are finding our place, our path in this new conscious world, all of us trying to make the good decisions for the future of our families. Now one’s ‘true calling’ takes a back seat to the realities of putting food on the table and finding a new path.

So why am I writing? It’s who I am.

Saturday
It’s Saturday morning and the new temp agency passed with flying colours as they secured an assignment for the next three weeks at a financial company. It’ll take care of business for now as the career search continues. We’re serving brunch today at the house of love – time to eat.

Steaming hot coffee coats my teeth and the fireplace warms the cool morning as I open myself to this new day. The blinds are still shut on a wet and – thinking way too much of how these words hit these impulses creating something - a sentence, a phrase and hopefully a story. The words and melodies of the American band 'Of Montreal' make up the soundtrack to these morning inspirations. {Insert your own research on their bio and back up story} At this point I check the song title again, We Were Born The Mutants Again With Leafling, my favourite song from the album Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? It dawns on me, that this album could appeal to a wide cross section of listeners, of all ages…blah…blah….enough of the album review. My friend Liam went to their show the other night at Richards and Richards in Vancouver and danced like a mad man all night long.

Here I am in familiar territory inspired to write as I listen to new exotic sounds, as if though my ears had left on a tropical vacation filled with adventurous aural pleasures around every corner.Fujiya & Miyagi’sTransparent Things release continues to unravel unexpectedly with each song building itself up to a subtle crescendo then leaving you wanting more but waiting until the next track mixes in again only to take you back down the gondola – leaving you hanging in the middle of descent in anticipation of what awaits you at the top. Take the journey from Conductor 71 to the title track and witness the enticing grooves of Fujiya & Miyagi.



Mounds of pure Canadian maple syrup pour over my sweet hotcakes accompanying the deep dancing beats from the hip hop sounds of Staten Island vocalist Eamon. What a smooth and soulful voice delivering infectious songs like Elevator and Heatrise that outshine the first single How Could You Bring Him Home. A few other albums in heavy rotation here at phreeradio this week including a leaked copy of the new Arcade Fire album – Neon Bible;

The Good, The Bad & The Queen (s/t)
The Knife (Deep Cuts)
DJ Shadow (The Outsider)
LCD Soundsystem (Sound of Silver)
The Shins (Wincing the Night Away)
Malajube (Trompe-L’Oeil)
Air (Pocket Symphony)
Band of Horses (Everything All The Time)



With your beats fix taken care of for the weekend I’ll move on to some moving images to discuss. Les Stroud is the creator of the Outdoor Living Network program Survivorman, where he is left abandoned alone in a remote location with the clothes on his back and his cameras – no one and nothing else. The program has been insightful and so informative as we’ve witnessed Les survive through some of the toughest situations including the Costa Rican rainforest, the Arctic as well as the Sonora desert. Our good friend Bryan first told us about Les a few years ago when he was writing and recording music with Les.



The other night Brad called us to check out a new program Les had produced that would definitely inspire us beyond belief. The show is called Off the Grid and I highly recommend you all to see it if you can. Basically Les puts his money where his mouth is concerning the environment and our own individual footprints we are leaving all over this planet. Les and his family make the switch from modern living in the city to the new sustainable modern life in the bush fuelled by solar panels, rain harvesting systems and a zest for energy conscious living. Two one-hour episodes of the program have been produced and we’ve only seen the first one. Check it out. If that doesn’t convince you to make a few changes in your life check out the David Suzuki website as the renowned Canadian scientist and environmentalist travels across the country on the “If YOU were Prime Minister Tour’ talking to Canadians about the state of the planet. Canadians are responding in record numbers packing up all his speaking engagements and making their own video messages on what they’d do as Prime Minister. Proving yet again, it is never too late to change.

Less Stroud
David Suzuki
PCG

Thanks for stopping by and reading. Hope you enjoyed this latest installment of Chico’s Observations.

peace,
chico

Live From The Pacifika Coast

I have found the last few months very difficult to write something to share here in these Observations. These days and hours leading to today have been joyous, frustrating, rewarding and pensive. As the first month of the New Year is just about over I can feel the steam streaming around me from this welcomed pressure cooker I find myself in these days.



As I eagerly anticipate the birth of my first child in less than four months I find myself in familiar territory with unfamiliar feelings. Everything changes the experts all say and I can feel it already. I cannot tire of bonding with my wife’s Buddha belly and talking to my unborn child, sharing the sounds of Sade or The Beastie Boys, early music education with headphones. This is a beautiful time for the three of us.



Today from Phreeagent headquarters, the music of Vancouver based band Pacifika lends the rhythm to these observations. Pacifika recently shot a video for the song “Me Cai” which was directed by Phreeagent Douglas Thomson. The gorgeous video has already caught the eye of MuchMusic and the band is garnering major label attention with their great songs and musicianship, led by the sultry Latin vocals of Silvana Kane. Pacifika is rounded off with Adam Popowitz and Toby Peter, two brilliant musicians. The band has already uploaded their video to You Tube and can be found at their website myspace.com/pacifika

The band’s album Asuncion is to be released early this year and you can find out more information at www.pacifikaonline.com Doug has directed a beautiful and elegant video highlighting the musicianship and passionate stage presence of Silvana. Their songs are catchy, romantic and some of the very phreshest sounds coming from Canada.

I now find myself coming full circle with this last Phreeagent announcement regarding Doug Thomson and the video for Pacifika. We moved out here to the Pacific Coast seven years ago to set up new roots in the mountain air and haven’t looked back since. It has now been a year and half since Phreeagent officially went live and now things have come to somewhat of a close.

I am writing to announce that the Phreeagent Creative Group is going through some changes. I want to thank you ALL from the depths of my soul for your support, interest and taking part in my dream to start this company of creative Canadian artists. I am both honoured and very proud of the great work the agents have done in their careers over the last couple of years. With a baby on the way and new beginnings ahead, PCG will simply be an outlet for my own creativity, and possibly one or two other partners that may stay part of the group.

My passion for the Canadian arts will continue by highlighting different artists over time, featuring new music, new articles - all the same stuff, but I no longer can attempt to promote and market this fantastic group on my own. The website will be changed in the next little while to reflect this new direction.

As I move forward in search of a new working environment to contribute my skills and passion to create and communicate, I am very thankful for the journey thus far and I anticipate a new and challenging fresh start. With my next writing course scheduled for mid February maybe the writer’s dream will find a home once again.



Thanks for stopping by and reading. Hope you enjoyed this latest installment of Chico’s Observations.

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised or S[no]w Luck Club Heats Things Up

I’m back! Chico’s Observations took a bit of a hiatus since the summer but I’m ready to bring these fingers to the keyboard again. Unfortunately the Observations are no longer coming from Granville Island as that full time contract came to a close this summer, but I’m still writing articles for them. The last few months I’ve been busy in school as I gear up to finish this business program in the spring. What else? Oh yeah – we’re having a baby!! Helloooo.
: )


So the last few months have been an incredible journey. My mind has been full of business plans, marketing strategies, cash flow statements and child education funds, images of the child’s first steps and first words - as I watch Keli transform into a beautiful, patient and happy mother. I’m very excited. Last week I put the headphones to her belly and I filled the womb with the soothing sounds of Sade. This week I’d like to introduce the belly to the sounds of Michael Franti and Spearhead’s new release – Yell Fire!



The last couple of weeks have been inspiring for new music. First I headed down to HMV and I picked up the new K-OS cd, Atlantis – Hymns For Disco, which I played the shit out of for a full week. In 2005, The Joyful Rebellion was my pick for album of the year and this year K-OS is again in my top 5 picks for 2006. Like Michael Franti, K-OS continues to communicate great songwriting, infectious melodies and the conscious words of a relentless generation. Songs like FlyPaper, Sunday Morning and Mirror In The Sky will leave you singing and humming for days, but hearing No Rain sent chills up my spine. Atlantis left me with Motown moments refueling my passion for Canadian talent. [Good thing you didn’t listen to that part of you telling you not to sing Kev]


Back in the 90’s when I was a radio dj at CHRW 94.7, my show always started with the Disposable Heroes Of Hyhoprisy track - Television, The Drug of a Nation. Last week the illustrious and infamous Victoria, the exotic belly dancer, was passing through Vancouver and stayed with us for part of her trip. While picking up some new torso thrusting Middle Eastern musical mantras for her upcoming shows, she also snagged the new Michael Franti & Spearhead release – Yell Fire. Well, I’ve listened to the album a good twelve times since she left. The best album of his career. Last year I was lucky enough to see Spearhead live with Xavier Rudd for an incredible show. The amazing positive energy emanating from the Commodore that night could be felt for days after. Franti’s lyrics like Bob Marley, Ben Harper and Buju Banton, continue to challenge and motivate us all to fight the good fight and clear the clutter that impedes us all from waking up to life.

A revolution never come with a warning
A revolution never sends you an omen
A revolution just arrived like the morning
Ring the alarm we come to wake up the snoring 


- Yell Fire by Michael Franti & Spearhead

So it’s obvious I’m hungry for music lately and I was fed more beaty morsels last night at the Media Club in Vancouver. I headed out into the ‘blizzard’ to hear the big daddy sounds of Calamalka, opening up for No Luck Club's cd release party. Mary Ancheta hit the stage first with her full band performing a funky and ambient set before surrendering to the lap tops and turntables that would be set loose by Calamalka and NLC. [I think I recognize Mary from my dayze in the music industry in Ontario – was she in a band called The Misunderstood?] As I write this, snow continues to dump on the streets of Vancouver and sticks around, unlike the usual one-day snowfall we see in the city that melts as it hits the pavement.

Calamalka started his set with some hefty beats from the get-go. Bopping heads were immediately sucked in to the new up-tempo drum and bass soundtrack that Campitelli would sew together over the next forty minutes. Calamalka mixed and swirled new material that made for a mystical musical score to the white winter wonderland that evening. Maybe a new album in the spring Campitelli?

After hanging out back stage with Calamalka we headed out front where the No Luck Club groove was drawing us in. It took me immediately to their merchandise booth where I took home their new cd, Prosperity. From the first few minutes of music I was hooked and I knew this was a cd I would enjoy. The instrumental hip-hop band including Trevor & Matt Chan and DJ Pluskratch turned up the heat in the room and had the audience shaking their feet.



As the snowflakes continue to fall today, I settle in to rub the buddah belly for some good fortune and prosperity. Judging from the experiences of the last three months, the last 24 hours - I’m already feeling pretty lucky. "Everyone deserves music."

Until next time – peace!
chico@phreeagent.com
www.phreeagent.com
Chico Observations


For more information on these great artists check out these websites.

CALAMALKA
K-OS
SPEARHEAD
NOLUCKCLUB
MARY ANCHETA

Return of the Raven

It’s been two weeks since I boarded a bus with 50 teenagers set out on a journey of discovery in the BC wilderness. As many of you know, I was a volunteer once again this year for the 17th Young Men’s Adventure Weekend (ymaw.com). I’ve also been working on an article about the organization and the people who founded the weekend. It’s a story that doesn’t know when to quit.

I first started on the article over a month ago when I was taking a creative writing class. My goal was to have the article finished in time to have it published before the actual weekend. That never happened. After our adventure a couple of weeks ago I finally realized that this story is developing and growing every day. This work never ends - it is part of us. It’s who we are. So the writing has been difficult, especially finding an ending and with the success of this years adventure, I see a few more pages being added once again.

I’ve been volunteering for YMAW for the last few years and have been fortunate enough to be part of the audio/visual team with Dorian Leslie. We have been documenting the event with photos and video footage, capturing the beauty of the great Canadian outdoors and the joyous mayhem of a hundred or so men working together in a wilderness adventure.

A couple of years ago we began adding interviews of the young men attending YMAW to our films, which opened our minds even more as we listened even closer to their words and their hearts. Words that would continue to educate and inspire us. This year we took it a step further and also interviewed the production team of men who volunteer each summer to produce the adventure.

So as I continue researching and writing for this never-ending story for it’s eventual publication, I wanted to share with you all this year’s audio/visual delights from the Young Men’s Adventure Weekend of 2006. I hope that this may inspire you all to get involved in your communities and work with our youth, our future. Each year everyone involved inspires me and I am rejuvenated with hope for our planet. A hope that is never-ending.

YMAW MOVIE
YMAW PICS
www.ymaw.com

Peace,
chico

p.s. You are now able to leave comments on the blogs without having to register and it is easy. Would love to hear from you all. Thanks.

The World Where You Live

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
- Martin Luther King

Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile. - Albert Einstein

It's time for greatness -- not for greed. It's a time for idealism -- not ideology. It is a time not just for compassionate words, but compassionate action.
- Marian Wright Edelman

This friday I'm off to the wilderness for the 17th Young Men's Adventure Weekend www.ymaw.com
We have been preparing for the last 2-3 months and now we are just days away from producing an incredible event for these young men between 12-17 years old. This will be my third year and I'm truly looking forward to it. As my good friend Dorian says, "it's an incredible weekend of fun, competition and witnessing profound change."

This weekend marks a definitive break in the year for me. I return from the adventure each time simply beaming and full of renewed energy and excitement about life. I return with a spark of hope and faith in this world after reconnecting with the land and with fellow earth men giving back to the community. The time spent with the Room to Read charity and with YMAW ignites a fire within me that I look forward to keeping lit for a long time. Somedays it is a struggle, as we all know, to keep near what is truely important in this life. Let's simply not give up, let's keep trying, keep doing and don't settle for anything less than a peaceful and compassionate world to live in.


Our fearless leader at YMAW sent this little piece around today and it really resonated with me so I thought I'd share it with you all. I wish you all a great weekend and may you all continue on your great adventure on planet earth

**************************************************************************************************************

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the"Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are nosecond-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applausedies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificatesare buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the oneswith the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are theones that care.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrowin Australia." (Charles Schultz)

There is so much on my mind these days

I completed my course last night ending a good run of schooling since March. I will be taking the next course in the business program in the fall, but it was the writing class that came to a finale yesterday that was a huge eye opener for me. It was a straight up course about writing for magazines and getting them published, taught by someone who is actually doing it – right now.

Deborah Campbell was our instructor and she shared a ton of inspiring insight with a class full of some great writers. Much of her writing chronicles the people and experiences from her travels to Tehran, Tel Aviv, Cairo, Paris and the Gaza Strip. Deborah also writes about artists and has an article about Douglas Coupland’s sculptures coming out soon. She published her book on the conflict in Israel and Palestine called This Heated Place and her articles have appeared in magazines like the Guardian, The Walrus, Modern Painters and one of my favourites – Adbusters.

At the end of class last night, I recounted my story about Adbusters and how their offices are just around the corner from my house. How I sent Adbusters some articles and also walked straight into their offices with resume in hand looking for a gig. “Don’t stop trying,” she says. It’s not an easy business to get into. It is very competitive and writers need to be very disciplined, not only in writing for deadlines but also in fielding new assignments and contacts. It’s important to meet these people, get your name out there and open up those opportunities.

Last night was a bit of a reality check. My second article for the class was about the Young Men’s Adventure Weekend (YMAW) taking place July 14, 15 & 16. I was far too optimistic that I could get the article published in time for the event. I was definitely disappointed with myself, as the article still needed additional writing and tweaking before it is ready to be pitched. The class is part lecture and part workshop, so we all discussed my story and the suggestions everyone had were very important in making the story, a better story. So it was with mixed emotions that I said good-bye to everyone and headed home. We have set up a blog and hopefully we will continue to workshop our writing with each other and I’m sure there will be another writing class in the future.

My goal was to share the YMAW story here on my blog and then begin to pitch it to magazines and some newspapers. I think now that I will extend the scope of the piece with additional stories from this year’s event and submit it for publication afterwards. Still, I am ecstatic over the last couple of months where I have finally felt comfortable saying, I am a creative writer. I am still writing articles for the insurance website which will launch soon and I just picked up another writing gig as well. So I guess I’m actually doing it – right now, too.

It has been a very busy second quarter of the year and I’m looking forward to finally getting some relaxation this long weekend. Enjoy! GO PORTUGAL!! VIVA!

This has been another Observation from the Island.

peace,

Inconvenient Truths

"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so."
Mark Twain

"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon him not understanding it.”
Upton Sinclair

The quotes by Mark Twain and Upton Sinclair are highlighted in Al Gore’s film where he takes his slide show on the road to cities all around the world. These words really resonated with me and stuck in my head until this morning so I could write the latest observations. I feel these quotes somehow shed light on just some of the reasons why our struggle continues and why we must stay committed to bearing and sharing the inconvenient truths found everywhere.

Back in April I wrote an article called “Love Your Planet” in which I spoke about a new documentary coming out called An Inconvenient Truth. Last night we went to 5th Avenue Cinema and watched this very informative and hard-hitting film about Al Gore’s mission to educate as many cities, towns and families around the world about the reality of global warming.
Judging from the amazing turnout at the box office so far, it looks like more and more people are finally tuning into the reality on earth and not the “reality” of wife swapping or living on Laguna Beach. In it’s second week, An Inconvenient Truth broke the top 10 at the box office. This week it drops to #11 but it is impressive to note that it is having this massive impact while only playing in 122 theatres compared to the 3,000-4,000 theatres featuring anticipated films like The Break Up or Cars.

So why were there only a dozen or so people at the theatre last night in Vancouver? Has everyone already had a chance to see it or was it because it was a Monday? Following the events of 9-11 many people continued researching and asking more and more questions about the truth. It lead to many so called conspiracy theories and it also resulted in a clamp down from the U.S. administration on any distracters to their policies. But it also resulted in a tenacious desire by millions around the world to find the truth.

Today, many of the stories now coming to light, whether it is the inhumane treatment of prisoners of war or subtle mistakes like not finding any weapons of mass destruction, are stories that had been documented and shared long before it hit mainstream media. Take for instance the underground film Loose Change. This film combines all the information of other smaller films and all the stories in relation to 9-11 and brings it together in one of the most concise and informative documentaries on the subject.

Watching An Inconvenient Truth last night I was not shocked or surprised. This film did what Loose Change did by bringing the entire global warming debate into another concise, informative and moving film. When I started reading David Suzuki books like Sacred Balance, I began having a stronger understanding and relationship between my own choices and their affects on the world around me. “Live locally” he always said and watch your imprint on the earth have less of an impact. Support your local grocer and restaurants and watch your local economy strive. Making the changes within yourself first then watch it grow as you share it with others.

It is very promising that some of these uncomfortable realities are being discussed and debated with more and more people each day. The reality is that life is always, always changing. No matter how hard you may try to hold on to all things of the past we must come to that pinnacle decision and understanding that many things are not working any longer.

So I have this challenge to you all. Take your parents to see this movie. Take your father for Father’s day. You’ll be surprised by what you don’t know. Last night we brought a friend to the film and you could see how the film affected him as he felt compelled to ride his bike and discuss hybrid cars. In many respects none of this is new because we have been told for decades that if we don't change, this is where we are headed. Well, here we are....so what are you going to do about it?

This has been another Observation from the Island.

peace,

A Better Life?

Life has been good to me and I’ve been good to life, I can’t complain. Well, maybe I can complain for others who cannot. People less fortunate, those who are oppressed and misguided by corruption and greedy power, how are their voices heard? Like the 11 people found dead on a rusty small boat, four months after they had left Africa on Christmas eve in search of a better life in Europe.

My grandfather left Portugal to look into Canada as a possible new home for his growing family. Under the ruling regime of Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, who was Prime Minister from 1932 to 1968, my grandfather had finally lost faith in little mighty Portugal. Salazar developed the “Estado Novo” which literally translated is the New State. Portugal was in the midst of massive change. Salazar’s new policies and reforms simply priveleged the upper classes to no limit while the poorer sections of society were left to rot. Education wasn’t a priority so it wasn’t invested in, instead more money would fund PIDE, the secret police repressing, torturing and murdering anyone who opposed the new state.

Today when I was reading the news article about these eleven people from Africa in search of a better life, I immediately started to remember the story of my parents and their immigration to Canada. My parents sadly left Portugal when they were young children. My father from the northern region near Braga and my mother left behind her friends in the middle of Portugal near Aveiro. My father landed in Quebec where my grandfather had set things up to bring the entire family over one by one, as he raised the funds to do so each time. Through this period of time his youngest son was born back in Portugal while he was still in Quebec. They wouldn’t meet until years later. Oddly enough my parents would both land first in Quebec before finally meeting each other in southwestern Ontario.

Many of the family stories I have been told are definitely classic tales of crop sharers who wanted more education, more opportunities, simply more than a small percentage of someone else’s share. In Salazar’s world, they were nothing important, nobody. Were these Africans nobody too? What were they escaping? How much do we really know about what is happening in these African countries?


Although there were eleven bodies found on the tiny boat it had originally left with 54 people. Setting course for Spain, the boat would lose most of its passengers and eventually run adrift where it was finally found off course near the Barbados. It is still unclear exactly where the passengers were from but officials presume they were from Senegal. Authorities are investigating into a Spaniard living in the Canary Islands who may have organized the deadly trip charging passengers between $1,200-$1,500 USD.

Canary Islands authorities have intercepted nearly 7,000 migrants since January, compared with 4,751 in all of 2005. More than 1,000 are believed to have fallen to the brutal power of the sea attempting the journey from Africa to the Canary Islands since December. Last month 600 people were found in crowded boats after the week before when 1,000 were intercepted in one weekend. The numbers are staggering.

Fifty years have passed since my parents made their voyage and still people from all around the world are leaving their homes, their countries, for a mysterious promise of something better. Some of them are fleeing to Canada and we all have heard of the immigration stories coming from the United States recently as well. Unfortunately the stories are summed up into authority headlines announcing sweet victory of their captures, their intelligent investigations and the record numbers rescued, only to be shipped back again.

The things my parents stressed growing up were education, education and education. Maybe some of these people would have thought twice about taking on this journey if they truly knew what they were getting into. Or maybe no education would stop them from leaving absolute death, corruption and destruction. How are we to know?

The real stories are lying on the bottom of the sea, thousands of untold stories that could reveal more about this unbalanced world we live in. These stories could give us a glimpse into today’s new search for a better life for all.

This has been another Observation from the Island.

peace,

Bits & Pieces

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening and good night - where ever you are!

Today the rain has finally stopped after leaving us a wet long weekend but I shouldn't complain as we had some gorgeous weather for the last couple of weeks. In fact, when it started raining I couldn't remember the last time we had a rainfall but figured it would be good for the land. So it's already Thursday and this is the first time I've had a chance to think about writing something for the observations this week.

It's been a couple of busy weeks and its only going to get busier. As I think about everything going on I'm also perusing over some articles and stories today on different websites, magazines and papers to see what the world is talking about. I haven't had cable television for at least six years and its been wonderful without it, but we recently signed up for it since we both work in the media world of television and advertising. I must admit I'm in love with the Knowledge channel and Discovery, amazing programming that doesn't leave me numb. Although there is just a flood of reality garbage on the tube I must admit that once in a while as I flick up and down the channels, a couple of minutes of Flavour Flav's love life (pimp life) cracks me up. Last night Inked had my attention as they open up a new tattoo shop in a casino. Opening night had celebrities like Dennis Rodman, Robin Leach, John Salley, and the guys from NSync (lol) show up for some tattoos.

Immigration is hot news too and not just in America. I was speaking to a friend just today who drove down to the US from Vancouver who had the usual difficult time crossing the border. It seems just because she is originally from Colombia but still has a Canadian passport, she gets red flagged all the time as a possible drug czar threat. Down south the immigration bill nears passage in the US senate where they estimate there are 12 million illegal immigrants residing. Here in Canada our lovely government has been sending Portuguese immigrants packing back to their homeland too, recalling my own childhood memory of close family friends who also had the same fate back in the 1970's.

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I was starting night classes again and I'm now in week three and just loving it. I'm really enjoying the magazine writing class. Basically the first part of the class is lecture and discussion and then the second part is a workshop. Everyone has two articles to write during the course and everyone reads them and critiques them as you move through the rewriting stage and eventually get it ready to publish. I handed in my first story last night and it will be critiqued in two weeks. The story is about a close friend's account of his frustrating and painful time in a hospital recently. The second story which has to include an interview is going to be about the Young Men's Adventure Weekend Society.

Some of you may remember from my Observations from the 19th Floor my excitement about being part of the great weekend a couple of years ago. Well I am part of the 2006 team and my first meeting is tonight. For those of you who don't know about it please check out the amazing website by the very talented phreeagent, Dorian Leslie, at www.ymaw.com. In a nutshell, YMAW is a weekend of fun and teamwork; encouraging a spirit of responsibility and honour in young men's lives, through positive relationships with each other and with adult men. A group of us get together each spring and start putting together the event for young men from the ages of 12-17. The weekend is nothing short of exhilarating, inspiring, challenging and empowering - oh yeah - a ton of fun!!

This years event takes place July 14, 15 and 16 somewhere in the wilderness of British Columbia! I encourage anyone out there reading this who knows someone in this age group to check out our website and contact us to be part of this great experience.

Thank you for checking out another edition of Observations from the Island.

peace.

Stroke It To The West

My brother is the type of guy who always finds his way into special events. Whether he gets free tickets from someone or ends up knowing the security guards, one way or another he gets into the big show. Whenever he does go to one of these shows he ends up calling me from the venue to put me within earshot of the main event via the cell phone. When he saw Van Halen recently he called me during the song "Jump". When the Edmonton Oilers played the Red Wings in Detroit during the playoffs there he was on the phone again amidst the major upset. The other night it was INXS during the "Devil Inside" and before that Willie Nelson of all people. The funniest had to have been when he called from a national curling championship that was televised and this time he was all over the television, "check out channel 23 man, we're the crazy guys cheering like its a hockey game." Each hilarious phone call left us in stitches with his fantastic reporting from inside the mosh pit.

So last night I was in the mosh pit for the first time since probably the Franz Ferdinand show a couple years ago at the Commodore. The Strokes played last night to an appreciative and energetic crowd at the Plaza of Nations. We hopped up and down all night sharing body sweat with the fans. The Strokes put on a great show stating that this was definitely "the best crowd so far on the tour". The music was great and the audience was pumped. On two different occassions I had this small guy jump on my shoulders and try to launch off of me and into the crowd for his turn at bodysurfing. Each time I turned around quickly wondering who the hell is humping my shoulders! Too funny. If that wasn't funny enough some other little guy got slapped across the face after thinking he could just get away with grabbing a girls breast without permission!

This time it was my turn to call my bro from a concert but with the time difference it didn't have quite the same effect leaving him a message.

Well, the long weekend is just around the corner and I can only hope that the weather stays like it has been, hot and sunny.

Mad love out to Carty and Tersia this weekend too! Peace in the east.

This has been another Observation from the Island.

The Hempress Returns

Bom dia amigos! Welcome to the latest Observations from the Island.

First of all Keli has returned from the Toronto Hot Docs Festival just beaming. The festival was excellent and Westgate met numerous movers and shakers in the documentary film industry. Stay tuned to her website for all the latest details coming soon www.plantthisseed.com. She has barely had a chance to download her festival experience as she is back on set today shooting some corporate videos. In fact, today marks our first day working together since I began my contract at this advertising agency two months ago! Looking forward to it!

It's crunch time here on the island as we prepare for the next three days as we will be at a big conference downtown filming these corporate videos and working together. Tonight I also start a new class, Writing for Magazines, which I'm really looking forward to. Next week I start the next course in the Business Management program too so I'll be in classes heading into June. Then it's summer time! The sun is out in all its glory and its shaping up to be a gorgeous week here in Vancouver.

I really didn't have much to write about today, I'm just thrilled Keli is back home.

Thanks to all our friends back in Ontario too - Carty, Tersia, Julie, Wendy, Beth, Rick and everyone else who contributed to an incredible week.

This has been another Observation from the Island.

peace,

Planting the seeds

Well, about a month ago I restarted my observation musings and turned them into the Observations from the Island blog. In that very first post I mentioned how this year I was determined to take control of all my writings and begin to edit, assemble and prepare everything for publishers. With the marvelous Westgate attending the documentary festival I spent this week beginning the process. There has been so much to read, reread and write only to re-write that I have had barely anything left to write for the observations.

Judging from the many responses I received it sounds like the subject of oil, rising gas prices and our climate rang a chord with readers. Since Keli left to Toronto to pitch her film Plant This Seed it seems there are more and more stories developing that only emphasize the importance of her film and others like it. In big news this week, North Dakota recently became the first state to issue licenses to hemp farmers. Gas wars are already beginning in the South including a boycott against Exxon in Beeville, Texas. There is one idea currently circulating that believes we can help bring oil prices down if we stop buying from the top two companies, Exxon and Mobil, for an entire year! In Canada it would be Esso and Petro-Can (thx Brad). Read the sample chain letter below and get involved too! www.breakthechain.org

So while we are on the subject, Keli is having an amazing time at the documentary festival in Toronto. She has met with a ton of people all across the industry and making great contacts. She's planting seeds. Seminars, films, film parties - it's been go-go for the young filmmaker and we look forward to hearing her stories. She was recently interviewed about her film. Check her out at www.pitchpage.com in the production section and if you haven't checked out the preliminary website we currently have up now for our funding drive come take a look www.plantthisseed.com

Lastly, for an unbelievable laugh check out Stephen Colbert as he speaks his truth at the White House Correspondents Dinner. Have a great weekend! www.thankyoustephencolbert.org


This has been another Observation from the Island


SAMPLE CHAIN LETTER TEXT
Subject: RE: Gas prices

I hear we are going to hit close to $3.00 a gallon by the summer Want gasoline prices to come down? We need to take some intelligent, united action. Phillip Hollsworth, offered this good idea:

This makes MUCH MORE SENSE than the "don't buy gas on a certain Day" campaign that was going around last April or May! The oil companies just laughed at that because they knew we wouldn't continue to "hurt" ourselves by refusing to buy gas. It was more of an inconvenience to us than it was a problem for them. BUT, whoever thought of this idea has come up with a plan that can really work. Please read it and join with us!

By now you're probably thinking gasoline priced at about $1.50 is super cheap. Me too! It is currently $1.97 for regular unleaded in my town.(California) Now that the oil companies and the OPEC nations have Conditioned us to think that the cost of a gallon of gas is CHEAP at $1.50- $1.75,we need to take aggressive action to teach them that BUYERS control the marketplace....not sellers. With the price of gasoline going up more each day, we consumers need to take action. The only way we are going to see the price of gas come down is if we hit someone in the pocket book that WITHOUT hurting ourselves. How? Since we all rely on our cars, we can't just stop buying gas. But we CAN have an impact on gas prices if we all act together to force a Price war.

Here's the idea:
For the rest of this year, DON'T purchase ANY gasoline from The two biggest companies (which now are one), EXXON and MOBIL. If they are not selling any gas, they will be inclined to reduce their prices. If they reduce their prices, the other companies will have to follow suit. But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of Exxon and Mobil gas buyers. It's really simple to do!! Now, don't wimp out on me at this point...keep reading and I'll explain how simple it is to reach millions of people!!

I am sending this note to about thirty people. If each of you send it to at least ten more (30 x 10 = 300)... and those 300 send it to at least ten more (300 x 10 = 3,000) ... and so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth generation of people, we will have reached over THREE MILLION consumers! . .

If those three million get excited and pass this on to ten friends each, then 30 million people will have been contacted! If it goes one level further, you guessed it..... THREE HUNDRED MILLION PEOPLE!!!
Again, all you have to do is send this to 10 people. That's all. (If you don't understand how we can reach 300 million and all you have to do is send this to 10 people.... well, let's face it, you just aren't a mathematician. But I am... so trust me on this one.) How long would all that take? If each of us sends this email out to ten more people within one day of receipt, all 300 MILLION people could conceivably be contacted within the next 8 days!!!

I'll bet you didn't think you and I had that much potential, did you?
Acting together we can make a difference. If this makes sense to you, please pass this message on.
PLEASE HOLD OUT UNTIL THEY LOWER THEIR PRICES AND KEEP THEM DOWN. THIS CAN REALLY WORK. YOU KNOW THEY LOVE HOLIDAYS AND SUMMER TRAVELERS.

END CHAIN LETTER TEXT

Love Your Planet!

What a gorgeous week it has been so far here in Vancouver. Warm days with clear skies and brilliant sunshine. The walk into work feels like a dream some days even more so since changing my path to include walking by the water for half of the morning journey.

It could be the weather and the global warning advisory for those laying in the sun or the non-stop research and development for Keli’s film Plant This Seed, but there is definitely a growing urgency within us to affect change. Whether you have seen or read any of the films and books mentioned over the years in these observations or maybe you are just now starting to realize, that the everyday decisions you make affect the world we live.

It’s about time that apathy and fear be replaced by action and love. The bottom line is that we cannot continue living the way we live. Change is not imminent it is upon us now. Let us take some steps now before one day we have a way of life forced upon us that contradicts our evolutionary spirit. The truth is the world is changing in so many different ways and very rapidly. Of special consequence is the change in the planet’s climate. I understand that many of you don’t want to hear about this argument anymore. Some of you know about it and yet feel helpless to do anything.

Five years ago when we found ourselves deeply entrenched in reading and researching the state of the world politically, socially, economically and environmentally, it was impossible to simply take in all this information and carry on the same every day. The change process had begun within our minds and then our hearts, soon thereafter our very words and actions would change who we were. We were definitely moving towards a crossroads on planet earth and we believed it.

We sold our car and started taking city transit. When the transit system went on strike we switched to walking everywhere, which is still our favourite way to get in and around Vancouver. We investigated into organic vegetables and fruits, searching out local produce and other products made in Canada. We picked up a Greenpeace booklet listing all the foods that use genetically modified organisms and soon after cleared out much of the contents in our kitchen shelves. Every little bit counts and there is more to do. Recycling. Saving electricity and cutting back water usage. Composting. Hybrid cars. Alternative sources of energy. Hemp.

As the new film coming out May 24th states, to many of us this is An Inconvenient Truth, but it is one that we should not ignore. Directed by Davis Guggenheim, An Inconvenient Truth is a film that “eloquently weaves the science of global warming with Al Gore’s personal history and lifelong commitment to reversing the effects of global climate change. A longtime advocate for the environment, Gore presents a wide array of facts and information in a thoughtful and compelling way. The film is not a story of despair but rather a rallying cry.”

The new issue of Vanity Fair is the first ever Green Issue with 50 ways to help save the planet. First ever green issue???? I know, it’s alarming isn’t it. The front cover of the issue spotlights the eco-warriors from Hollywood and the White House with Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Al Gore himself. I hope journalists, editors and writers who haven’t found this topic sexy enough or worthy of their ink, will finally reach out and lend their hands to help inform and educate the citizens of earth.

Don’t be fooled. You will be hearing and reading more and more stories about keeping our planet green. You may even feel that many celebrities and politicians are simply jumping on the green bandwagon for more exposure and fame but the fact is many of us around the world have been spreading the message for years. Scientists have come and gone while still working to find solutions for our troubled oasis. Politicians and environmentalists have been gagged, vilified and ignored. Now we are heading into a time where we will no longer whisper in the halls but rather shout from the tops of mountains to be heard.

So I simply ask you to bring this topic into your homes, with your families and friends, to ignite discussion and action to our climate crisis. Share the smiles from doing what you CAN do to help save the world. It’s about sharing information and knowledge and applying our newfound wisdom to our lives.

This has been another Observation from the Island.

peace,

1,731,147,815 seconds and counting

What an immaculate day! The first month of Spring is upon us and we couldn't ask for anything more. The sun is brilliant lighting up the blue sky and there is a small wind gliding over the water this morning. South of the border spring actually started earlier. Astronomers now say that spring season starts a day earlier, March 20, in all time zones in North America.

In the southern hemisphere, the vernal equinox corresponds to the center of the Sun crossing the celestial equator moving southward and occurs on the date of the northern autumnal equinox. During the 20th century, March 21 was actually the exception rather than the rule. The vernal equinox landed on March 21 only 36 out of 100 years. And from 1981 to 2102, Americans will celebrate the first day of spring no later than March 20.

In the years 2008 and 2012, those living in Alaska, Hawaii and the Pacific, Mountain and Central time zones will see spring begin even earlier, on March 19. And in 2016, it will start on March 19 for the entire United States.

This information spins in my brain as I think about the concept of time as we know it or have been taught. All this information is based on the gregorian calendar, which was constructed to give a close approximation to the tropical year, which is the actual length of time it takes for Earth to complete one orbit around the sun. Meanwhile it is the Mayan calendar that fascinates me which apparently was written up until December 21st, 2012, the last year of their calendar. Scholars have known for decades that the 13-baktun cycle of the Mayan "Long Count" system of timekeeping was set to end precisely on a winter solstice, and that this system was put in place some 2300 years ago.

The Mayans were incredible skywatchers. The Mayan civilization of Central America was and is the most advanced in relation to time-science knowledge. They actually have 22 calendars in total, covering the many timing cycles in the Universe and Solar System. In 2012 the plane of our Solar System will line up exactly with the plane of our Galaxy, the Milky Way. This cycle has taken 26,000 years to complete and to many it will be an incredible day of discovery.

Each year it seems we are all feeling like we are running out of time. Our days are filled to the brim with work, family, community, children, sports, shopping, exercising - there is never enough time for all the things we imagine ourselves to be doing. It is the belief of many that we are living in very fast times. Have you ever read Alvin Toffler's book - FUTURESHOCK? Time is actually speeding up (or collapsing). For thousands of years the Schumann Resonance or pulse (heartbeat) of Earth has been 7.83 cycles per second, the military have used this as a very reliable reference. However, since 1980 this resonance has been slowly rising. It is now over 12 cycles per second! This mean there is the equalivant of less than 16 hours per day instead of the old 24 hours.

So I checked out a website called www.deathclock.com. According to this website which is reminding me of how short life is, I have 1,731,147,815 seconds and counting until my last day on earth, March 1-2061. Enjoy life! Don't waste a precious moment and go out and embrace it all.

This has been another Observation from the Island.

peace.

Global warming brings love swarming

Although it was raining on the way into Granville Island today the sun has already appeared, making its way through the dark gray clouds circulating the city. The uncertainty of today’s climate paints the sky in dark colours highlighting it with streaks of sunshine, some kind of silver lining. But the topic on my mind today seems to challenge every coffee shop discussion or watering hole debate about any positive outlook on the loom and gloom of our planet’s health.

This is nothing new. I first started writing passionately about all of this after reading more about peak oil in Matt Savinar’s book The Oil Age is Over. Subsequent films like The End of Suburbia, Why We Fight, Fast Food Nation and Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room further supported these thoughts. I remember how writing those observations a couple years back brought out much discussion, questioning and full out frustration and anger. I was the new doomsayer.

Many people don’t want a change in the status quo – on this side of the Atlantic. Many of us already feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities of work and family in this global economy. This week it was the eloquence of Terry Glavin’s cover story on global warming in the Georgia Straight, featuring Tim Flannery author of the Weather Makers, as well as a documentary we watched last night called Darwin’s Nightmare, which has brought this topic once again to my high-tapping-typing fingers today.

Glavin’s article gave readers a snapshot of our planet’s declining health. From the warmest Canadian winter ever seen to record amounts of water pouring into the arctic seas from melting glaciers, the signs continue to mount. Then there is the story that even most Canadians don’t even know about as British Columbia’s mountain pine beetles and their ferocious appetite, have eaten up a landscape comparable to the size of the United Kingdom. Indeed everything is changing. Where there was cold water now there is warm. Where there were thousands of fish now they are few and far between. Why are these stories still barely heard now, just as they were when people began writing and researching into them over ten years ago?

“Canada’s oil industry has now surpassed Saudi Arabia to become the primary supplier of fossil fuels to the United States. The administration of President George W. Bush, himself an oil man, adopted a strict policy of censorship to see to it that no federal official, not even James Hanson, head of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, would candidly and honestly explain all those grim global-warming scenarios.”

As I continued reading Glavin’s article I was inspired as his interview with Tim Flannery gave me a hope that was reminiscent of Keli’s aspirations with her film Plant This Seed. With the advent of the information age we have become the overwhelmed age with so many possible personal choices, that we are sinking with indecision. One of Keli’s underlying theories of her film was that “personal conscious action was the key to a sustainable future.” Flannery echoes this same sentiment stating that “personal lifestyle choices and voluntary, individual actions, like getting out from behind the wheels of SUVs and driving hybrid-fuel vehicles instead, can make an enormous contribution.”

Flannery goes on to say that a 70-percent reduction in current emission levels is what is needed to help start the change. To many who feel hopeless this sounds unattainable but the reality is we can make new choices to move into this direction. “Just switching to a hybrid-fuel vehicle and that’s 70 percent right there”, says Flannery.

Last night as I watched the documentary film Darwin’s Nightmare I couldn’t help think about Lavin’s article and Savinar’s book again, was Tanzania a preview of things to come? Said to be the birthplace of mankind, "The Great Lakes Region" is the green, fertile and mineral rich center of Africa. The region is also known for its unique wild life, snowy volcanoes and famous National Parks. At the same time, this part of the world lays beneath the shadows of a looming dark future.

Filmmaker Hubert Sauper tells us of massive epidemics, food shortages and civil wars that have ravaged this area in almost dead silence to the rest of the world. “In the Eastern Congo alone, the casualties of war on each single day equal the number of deaths on September 11th in New York. The hidden causes of such troubles are, in most cases, imperialistic interests in natural resources.”

Just like the story of global warming that can be told through the eyes of so many different affected interests around the world, Sauper states that his film could also have been told through “Sierra Leone, only the fish would be diamonds, in Honduras, bananas, and in Libya, Nigeria or Angola, crude oil. The arrogance of rich countries towards the third world (that's three quarters of humanity) is creating immeasurable future dangers for all peoples.”

Today I simply ask you not to become complacent but instead become vigilant to learn. Do not feel hopeless but spread the word of hope. The learning process is essential not only for personal growth but for the continued growth of our planet. Ask questions and think outside the box. I do not believe that the majority of the world’s citizens are out to destroy the world but I do believe the majority is unaware of their personal contribution to this destruction. This includes you and I. We can change the world.

http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/
http://www.straight.com/content.cfm?id=17132
http://www.darwinsnightmare.com/

This has been another Observation from the Island.

When the lights go out in the city

When the lights go out in the city you may feel a bit disorientated. Your morning ritual of repeatedly hitting the snooze button is replaced with a periodic glance at the cell phone before you catch a couple more winks. You get dressed in the dark and make breakfast to candlelight wondering if the power will come back on while you're at work, or if you’ll return to a refrigerator full of spoiled food. You arrive at work, turn on all the lights and get some coffee going only to realize you are out of coffee and forgot your wallet at home. So you walk back home which is only ten minutes away to grab your wallet. Of course you don’t bring your umbrella with you and on the way back it starts to rain hard. Welcome to my morning.

For the second time in less than two months the power has gone out on our street. I can only attribute it to the construction occurring in our neighbourhood. Two brand new condominium projects are going up around the corner in a city that has seen non-stop development in the last five years with no end in sight. For those of you not living in Vancouver and have never been here, our great city is going through a massive boom. Move over Alberta here comes BC! There are brand new projects ranging from new bridges and housing projects to an Olympic village and a new sky train route from the airport to downtown. With the Olympics only four years away, more than 20 billion dollars is being invested in new construction in Vancouver, which may bring more of you from across the country moving to our amazing city, as there seems to be more work than workers for all of these plans.

Last night, filmmaker Keli Westgate held a meeting for the Plant This Seed documentary that she is developing. Dig Deep Films in association with the Ace Film Company and the Phreeagent Creative Group will be producing the feature length documentary about the Canadian Hemp industry – a first of its kind in Canada. Keli heads to Toronto at the end of the month to attend the Hot Docs International Film Festival to plant seeds in the minds of broadcasters and investors. This summer she will hit the road with her crew to continue filming with a cross-country tour stopping to meet with the pioneers of an industry that had disappeared for 60 years.

We are now in the middle of our funding drive that will take us into July, as we get ready to hit the road. Sponsorship packages will be delivered to all interested parties who wish to take part in this great Canadian film project. We are putting out a call to all of our friends, family, neighbours, business owners and philanthropists to raise enough funds to finance the next leg of our production. We encourage you to contact us to find out more information on how you can get involved. We are also planning some fund raising events to take place in the upcoming months, more details to follow soon.

This has been a dream of Keli’s for quite a few years, since she first discovered all of the amazing properties of the hemp plant. Since she introduced me to the heaps of information and research about hemp it was a no-brainer to be involved with this film. Other phreeagent members have also come aboard; Jas Atwal has been creating logo concepts for the film, Dorian Leslie will be working on the website and animations in the film, Michael Campitelli aka Calamalka, will be providing the score to the film. Keli will also hook up with photographer Steve Carty when she is in Toronto for some new publicity photos.

It has been a wild journey and we are very excited with the progress and amazing support we have found from everyone. We hope everyone can just dig a little deeper, jump on board and contribute their support to this great project. Please contact us at keli@plantthisseed.com for more information and let us know about any other great ideas you may have to support the film. Thank you.

Happy Easter weekend Lydia, Steve and Derek!!

This has been another Observation from the Island.

p.s. Feel free to leave a comment here at the blog. Let me know if you are enjoying the Observations!

Peace.