Rumors Of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

So... I haven't been posting as much as I would prefer, but I have been filling my time with something far more fantastic than blogging!!

Pure bliss.

So...this is what I was supposed to be doing!

The New Anthem... Monsanto Go Away!!!

Monsanto (Go Away!)

Words and Music by Human

The song begins 55 seconds in.

You say you want to help our community
Help the farmers sell more food
But all you sell to us is lies
You're only looking out for you

You say its all about the children
And yet you feed them pesticides
We know its all about your profits
Because of you too many die

Chorus: Monsanto Go Away Go Away Go Away
You are NOT welcome on our land
Monsanto Go Away Go Away Go Away
You are trespassing on our land

You say you're all about democracy
But then you interfere in our political process
You may have fooled some politicians
You may have given them some money

But this is not Washington DC
You cannot bully this community
We are much stronger than you think that we are
We are everywhere and we know who you are

Chorus: Monsanto.....

So if you know what is best for you
You will take your lies and go back home
You cannot tell your lies to change our minds
We don't want your frickin' poison seeds here in AUSTIN
For many many years we grow our food the natural way
Earth she gives us all we need to sustain
We will not grow your chemi-crops, you take your herbicides and go
You will not poison our homeland we say its time for you to go.

Wall Street Food Industry Analyst on GMOs and Cancer

  Take a few moments to listen to a Wall Street food industry analyst's and super-mom's views. It could change your life, the lives of your family members, communities and the planet.  

"I can't unlearn this and I don't know what people will say if I try to teach them.  But, I have to try."

"Maybe one person can make a difference."

"As each and every single one of us does one thing; we have the ability to effect remarkable change."

Now, for the 11 year old super-kid's point of view:

I will repeat the words of super-mom from above:

"Maybe one person can make a difference."

"As each and every single one of us does one thing; we have the ability to effect remarkable change."

*Note: The speakers are not mother and son. 

Birke's speech is from 2010, while Robyn's is from 2011.

Morning Music, Kaitlyn Maher (4 yrs. old)

Somewhere Out There

83rd Annual Zilker Park Kite Festival (2011)

I was very excited about attending the 2011 Zilker Park Kite Festival.  I prepared our kite the night before, charged 4 backup batteries for my cameras, polished the lenses, oiled my bike chain and formatted my flash drives.   The next morning, I packed oranges and cashews into my pre-packed photo-bag, strapped it to my back and headed out for a day of kite and photo fun.  
(click on any picture to enlarge)

I expected to see a scene like last year:

(photo credit to somethingtocelebrateblog)

However, this is the scene I was greeted with: 

Let me begin by saying I truly appreciate and respect the men and women of the Military,  National Guard and the Texas State Guard.  These amazing individuals have dedicated their lives to the idea of protecting me, my family, my community, state and nation.  

My deepest gratitude for your service.

"The Texas State Guard (TXSG) mission as a branch of the Texas Military Forces is to provide mission-ready military forces to assist State and local authorities in times of state emergencies, with homeland security and community service through Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA). To augment the other two branches of the Texas Military Forces, the Texas Army National Guard and Texas Air National Guard as force multipliers"







I asked numerous soldiers why they were there.  Each responded in the same manner: "We are here to aid with security."  

 




After numerous such responses, I went to the "Command Tent" and the officers gave me their attention as I asked why they were there.  The gentleman who addressed me advised me that his troops had been working hard all year and this was their reward.

Wouldn't it be  a better reward to give them the day off and let them enjoy Kite Day with their families?  



Would they be any less vigilant in watching over their community if they volunteered without the uniforms?






I don't think so.
 

Rather than inculcating a military presence into the consciousness of our community, maybe we could focus on continuing to strengthen the bonds our community is famous for.

The command center was the recruiting center, located between the restrooms and the primary drop-off/pick-up points for the school buses that shuttled families in - supervised by the Guard.

There must be other venues more appropriate for a military recruiting tent.

 If organizers believe that a recruiting tent for a branch of the Texas Military Forces is necessary at the family (children's) kite festival, maybe they would consider a proximity away from arriving families and an agreement to maintain conformity with other vendors and organizations. 

I respectfully request that uniformed soldiers not be involved in ANY security or policing duties.

In retrospect, can we agree there are better ideas than setting a military perimeter around a children's festival? 

Although most of the TXSG was courteous and respectful, a good number appeared to find the presence of a long-haired guy on a bicycle with a camera in South Austin to be a concern.

 

 



 






























This is a family kite festival and there is no need for a military presence or this level of security.

After contacting the organizers of the festival with my concerns, Billie McCulley contacted me let me know that "...Amazingly enough we have fewer than 20 members who are able to work the fest..."  "...we rely heavily on volunteers, usually numbering in the 800s." 
          "...This year we asked the Texas Guard to volunteer and to set up a recruiting booth."  

"...The Guard is a gallant and patriotic organization that sounded like a group of volunteers who could help us take care of 30,000 attendees."    

I let her know I am thrilled that the TXSG wants to volunteer their talents in security and logistics, but that it's a concern when done by the same people in uniform. The children that attended this function looked at generous volunteers offering up their time and saw military uniforms instructing them where to go and running security.  From my "Keep Austin Weird and America Free" perspective, I view this as a potential slippery slope for our community culture.

Ms. McCulluey asked me to come to one of the Kite Festival Planning Meetings to voice my concerns and to share some of the ideas I have to let more people know about the festival and how they can contribute.  You know I'll be there!

The ‘Kite Tournament’ was created by The Exchange Club of Austin in 1929 with a mission to encourage creativity in children. It is still owned and run by the club.

I've attended the  Zilker Park Kite Festival for years before we became residents of Barton Hills. We love our neighborhood, our park and our community.  We look forward to attending again...When my backyard is military uniform-free and filled with children flying kites in a creative, care-free environment.

Please help get the word out!  This is not a city event.  This is an organization that needs inspired, creative, committed help.  It doesn't cost anything to volunteer.  

They are struggling to accommodate crowds attracted and inspired by a great idea.  


 If you or your organization would like to volunteer  talents & resources to help with the festival, please click here.


My hope is that others would:  Share their point of view with the sponsors of the event with respect, love, reason and ideas with an intention of positive change.  Let's continue the tradition of non-uniformed community volunteers at the Zilker Park Kite festival.

I truly believe that there is a better way.

I love you, I'm sorry, Please forgive me, Thank you. ~ Hoʻoponopono

The Nation's First Red Astro Turf

My experience in high school was one of a counter-culture individual (no culture selected) who attended a school where it was ALL ABOUT FOOTBALL! When I have attempted to explain how over-the-top the football emphasis was there, people have looked at me as if I were crafting a story of extremes for impact and attention.

Below is a photo of my alma mater's new pride and joy:

The nation's first red Astro Turf.

Today, I am vindicated!!!

Article link here.

RFID Tracking Used on Children in Texas Schools

Tracking devices used in school badges

Two districts are first in the area to use ID tags that raise privacy, security concerns

By JENNIFER RADCLIFFE
HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Oct. 11, 2010, 10:00AM

Jerry Baker Chronicle

Sixth-graders, from left, Jacorey Jackson, Deante' Maxey, Casandra Hernandez and Kamryn Jefferson, all 11, wear special tracking badges at Bailey Middle School in Spring.

Radio frequency identification — the same technology used to monitor cattle — is tracking students in the Spring and Santa Fe school districts.

Identification badges for some students in both school districts now include tracking devices that allow campus administrators to keep tabs on students' whereabouts on campus. School leaders say the devices improve security and increase attendance rates.

Read the entire article here.

I have family raising children in the Spring district and look forward to their insights and comments.

In light of my last post, I would like to ask for people's opinions on the RFID program in the Spring and Santa Fe school districts and ideas about how to create something to impact our communities and the planet in a positive way.

Children Make Wonderful Teachers

If I could have this sort of positive energy to start my day every day,

I could conquer the world.

A Message of Hope

Although this may first appear to be a message of despair, please watch to the end. This is a video that was submitted in a contest by a 20-year old. When they showed it at the AARP competition, everyone in the room was awe-struck and broke into spontaneous applause. The message is inspiring and creatively put together.



I first saw this in 2007 and terminated the video in the first few seconds as it seemed as if it was a young person who was writing about giving in and giving up. Thanks to Sanford, who sent this to me and let me know how brilliant the message and its presentation are.

To Vaccinate or Not To Vaccinate? What Does History Tell Us?

The following videos are of a CBS "60 Minutes" documentary on the swine flu epidemic of 1976 regarding the government's propaganda program and response to the injuries that followed:

Come find me.

The Gift

Life hands me gifts each day

Gifts I recognize and gifts I don't

Gifts of love, joy and peace

Gifts of longing, pain, and even grief

Each shapes me, each changes me

Appreciating each day here more

The humming of my humility and

The buzzing of my thankfulness

Is this what the prophets attempt

Am I listening for the right thing

As I travel through each day

I choose to listen for love

Vaccination Plans in Chaos in Australia

According to The Day, an Australian paper from Melbourne:

"The Federal Government's plan to immunise the population against swine flu is in chaos because doctors' insurers may not cover them to administer the jab, saying inadequate testing and the possibility of spreading other infections mean there is too high a risk that patients will sue them later."

"Despite weeks of crisis talks, the Government has refused to underwrite doctors' liability for the vaccinations, and medical groups say the program - due to start as early as mid-September - cannot proceed unless doctors are insured."

Read entire article here.

(photo from blogs.nature.com)

If I remember correctly, the U.S. recently passed a law to hold harmless pharmaceutical companies, distributors, doctors and even police involved in forced vaccinations. I would add a link, but was unable to locate this info. If someone else has read it and is able to locate it, please send it in to me.

What is a Moment?

I found the short film below to be very moving as director, William Hoffman

attempts to share his vision of the answer to that question:

Radiolab provides the music.

Music by Parachutes: "Where Were You?"

Presented by WNYC Radiolab.

From the "ABOUT" section of the Radiolab site:

"Radiolab believes your ears are a portal to another world. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and human experience. Big questions are investigated, tinkered with, and encouraged to grow. Bring your curiosity, and we'll feed it with possibility."

More from Electro Circus 9/Aug/09

My Friend Fraser

My friend Fraser

Happy, energetic, loyal

Loving, insightful, delightful

I think of you daily

Whether at home, in the park

Or bicycling after dark

Your matching smile is missed

Consider yourself loved

And your forehead kissed

I miss your hugs.

Summer Hiking in Austin, TX

My 3 favorite young Canadians on a hike in the Austin greenbelt.

I miss you already. Travel safely and take good care of your parents.

Vibrant

I love the joy, amazement and hope in the eyes of children.

The things they say, the questions they ask, the hope they stir in me.

Thank you for sharing your sweet way with us, Shaughnessy.

Lauren Beller - Texas Singer/Songwriter

This shot of Lauren Beller was taken at Coach Darrell K. Royal's Pickin' Party at Freddy Powers' place during SXSW. 

I had the honor of meeting this young artist and was impressed by her voice, her presence and her humility.  In the following, Lauren sings Merle Haggard at Merle's birthday bash.  Lauren is 9 years old in this video!

In the video below, Lauren receives 3rd place for her song, "Baby Don't You Cry" at the Austin Songwriter Group Awards.  She won this award at age 11; making her the youngest to receive such an award.

(October 2008)

Lauren is a singer/songwriter to keep your eyes on...actually, I suppose ears would be more appropriate.  We have not heard the last of this talented young lady.

Baby Will Works the Crowd

A crowd in Philadelphia responds effervescently to young Will as he raised his hands for a picture.    Up and down the street as far as you can see, the crowd responds by throwing their arms in the air and cheering at each gesture. 

Each wave becomes more despot-like as he waves to his adoring throngs. 

Children of the Agape Choir

I think this is the first time I have featured a blog post on a competitor's blog in the Blog Explosion competitions.  

The post is on Scotty's site and is called Unconditional Love.

He located a video of a movie trailer about  by the Children of Agape Choir.  It's really worth a watch/listen/read so click on the picture to be taken to his site.