250 trees were bulldozed in Arcadia on January 13, 2011 in order to provide a place for dirt. That is the short version. We humans deal only in the short version of the total story.
Some folks say the state of California made the county destroy the trees. Others say it was the determined intent of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. Still others really don't care because if it is a choice between their home and a tree they vote to cut down the trees.
This poem by Stephen R. Kutcher speak for the trees that provided oxygen, shade and beauty that was deemed not important enough to preserve.
There are other voices such as the Los Angeles County Regional Settlement Management Plan.
News stories about the destruction of 250 trees in Arcadia:
Arcadia Weekly - 11 Acres of Trees Bulldozed by County
L.A. Weekly - By The Numbers
San Gabriel Valley Tribune - Video of bulldozing of the trees
Poetry isn't just about feelings. A poem can be a witness of things that should not have happened. A poem can represent a learning opportunity that should not be ignored. You can listen to this poem and then pass it along down the line so that other people will know and be ready for the next time.
We need more trees, not less. Why do human beings have such a problem understanding this one essential fact?
For the record and in the interest of full disclosure; I am a tree hugger and lover.
Showing posts with label green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label green. Show all posts
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Meeting Karen and a Reminder About eWaste Recycling
I'm starting up on my long Saturday walks again. For me a long walk is about two hours or so, more if I can combine it with other tasks. I was walking along and I saw the truck about eWaste recycling.
This is my brief conversation with Karen who hangs out at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church. The plan is to recycle the televisions and electronics and the cash received goes to help pay for the renovation of the Young Adults room at the church. For more info you can check out their Sacred Space blog.
Now if someone would work out a traveling eWaste pick up that would work for a lot of us that don't have transportation. That may be possible, depending on where you live.
If you are in the California area you can visit the E-Waste Recycling page at the CalRecycle page of the state of California.
It might be you finally clear out the garage and make a bit of cash. All things are possible.
This is my brief conversation with Karen who hangs out at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church. The plan is to recycle the televisions and electronics and the cash received goes to help pay for the renovation of the Young Adults room at the church. For more info you can check out their Sacred Space blog.
Now if someone would work out a traveling eWaste pick up that would work for a lot of us that don't have transportation. That may be possible, depending on where you live.
If you are in the California area you can visit the E-Waste Recycling page at the CalRecycle page of the state of California.
It might be you finally clear out the garage and make a bit of cash. All things are possible.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
National HIV Testing Day or Do You Have A Spare Condom?
I need to talk to the mature women, aunties and the grammies about protecting themselves when they have sex. June 27, 2010 is or was HIV Awareness and Testing Day.
I know it was because I was walking around outside of Vroman's Bookstore. There were condoms everywhere. It was a beautiful sight. Yet something was missing. Not enough info for the Boomers. Cuz, you know we ain't gonna stop with a little snow on the rafters.
With the right amount of imagination that rocking chair can be a sensual enhancement tool.
True, peri-menopause and menopause might have you up against the ropes. It is all you can do not to kill something. I say make love, not war. The libido is not dead, just getting reconfigured. One of these days a good looking chunk of opportunity is gonna walk up and say "Hi."
It will be all you can do to say "Yes." "No." or "You are serious, right?"
Step 1 - Have 21st Century Condoms
If all systems are go and before you get to shucking your clothes you need to ask yourself is there is a condom in the house, car or purse. I like to reduce complexity. I have condoms. Specially after today cuz I picked up a few condoms. And some lube. Water based, of course.
There are things that do not age well. Condoms is one of them. They expire. Make sure you have current stock within reach.
Step 2 - Dude Has To Wear It
You can help him put it on, make it worth his while but that condom has to be in place before you crank up Boogie Nights. This is not negotiable. This is about your life and how long you get to live it.
Step 2a - There are Female Condoms
Really, if the guy refuses to wear a condom and he won't get tested why are you with him?
Yeah, I know. Ok. If this is just a hit it and quit and you really want to do this with this reckless inconsiderate man then you need to use a female condom.
This is a non-sexual demonstration of how to insert the female condom:
It is a one use device. No recycling here. You can use it for the front door or the back porch however you have to use a new condom for each orifice. Female condoms are much more expensive but you are so worth it if you cannot get cooperation from your stud muffin.
Step 3 - You Might Have to Lube the Groove
We change. Body chemistry is no longer in sync with immediate desire. We may need help to ease the points of entry. There are all kind of lube products. Some contain icky petroleum chemicals. Bad for condoms, worse for your body.
When possible, go natural but not Crisco. Seriously, I know it was the thing back in the day but No, leave that in the bad old days. This is future tense.
You need to read the label to make sure the lube is compatible with the condom and with your body. There is a video about Green/Organic lube at Treehugger.com. Another source is the product line of Good Clean Love.
For more info:
In the meantime, in the spirit of the boogie put a lid on it.
I know it was because I was walking around outside of Vroman's Bookstore. There were condoms everywhere. It was a beautiful sight. Yet something was missing. Not enough info for the Boomers. Cuz, you know we ain't gonna stop with a little snow on the rafters.
With the right amount of imagination that rocking chair can be a sensual enhancement tool.
True, peri-menopause and menopause might have you up against the ropes. It is all you can do not to kill something. I say make love, not war. The libido is not dead, just getting reconfigured. One of these days a good looking chunk of opportunity is gonna walk up and say "Hi."
It will be all you can do to say "Yes." "No." or "You are serious, right?"
A Pause for the Cause
Step 1 - Have 21st Century Condoms
If all systems are go and before you get to shucking your clothes you need to ask yourself is there is a condom in the house, car or purse. I like to reduce complexity. I have condoms. Specially after today cuz I picked up a few condoms. And some lube. Water based, of course.
There are things that do not age well. Condoms is one of them. They expire. Make sure you have current stock within reach.
Step 2 - Dude Has To Wear It
You can help him put it on, make it worth his while but that condom has to be in place before you crank up Boogie Nights. This is not negotiable. This is about your life and how long you get to live it.
Step 2a - There are Female Condoms
Really, if the guy refuses to wear a condom and he won't get tested why are you with him?
Yeah, I know. Ok. If this is just a hit it and quit and you really want to do this with this reckless inconsiderate man then you need to use a female condom.
This is a non-sexual demonstration of how to insert the female condom:
It is a one use device. No recycling here. You can use it for the front door or the back porch however you have to use a new condom for each orifice. Female condoms are much more expensive but you are so worth it if you cannot get cooperation from your stud muffin.
Step 3 - You Might Have to Lube the Groove
We change. Body chemistry is no longer in sync with immediate desire. We may need help to ease the points of entry. There are all kind of lube products. Some contain icky petroleum chemicals. Bad for condoms, worse for your body.
When possible, go natural but not Crisco. Seriously, I know it was the thing back in the day but No, leave that in the bad old days. This is future tense.
You need to read the label to make sure the lube is compatible with the condom and with your body. There is a video about Green/Organic lube at Treehugger.com. Another source is the product line of Good Clean Love.
For more info:
- Carnal Nation post on How to Put On A Condom
- Center for AIDS Prevention and Studies Fact Sheet for Adults Over Fifty
- Mayo Clinic on Sexual Health and Aging
- National HIV Awareness Days from U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
- Planned Parenthood information about female condoms
- Third Age Guide to middle age and senior sexuality
- Violet Blue has a Safe Sex Page with a free download of her Modern Safe Sex Guide. Violet's web site is not safe for work but there are things a person could learn from Violet.
In the meantime, in the spirit of the boogie put a lid on it.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Santa Ana Winds
The Santa Ana wind is kicking up something fierce. All afternoon I've heard leaves, soft whistles and metal expanding and contracting. The birds gave up and called it a day. The crickets are telling folks to lay low.
These winds are nothing new but when they blow this hard they force you to pay attention to nature, the will of the seasons and just how much you nose can twitch to keep from sneezing.
I happen to like the wind when it is warm but we had enough of that fire thing so we are experiencing cool Santa Ana winds. Unusual but, you know change is good.
So they say.
So sleep will be a challenge tonight because I'll hear everything I don't want or need to hear.
The sound of the wind, I don't mind.
These winds are nothing new but when they blow this hard they force you to pay attention to nature, the will of the seasons and just how much you nose can twitch to keep from sneezing.
I happen to like the wind when it is warm but we had enough of that fire thing so we are experiencing cool Santa Ana winds. Unusual but, you know change is good.
So they say.
So sleep will be a challenge tonight because I'll hear everything I don't want or need to hear.
The sound of the wind, I don't mind.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Clean Coal Research Using Information Literacy Skills
One of my first memories of being in downtown Los Angeles was the sensation of feeling acid rain in my eyes. It stung. I did not know what it was or the cause but I knew that something was dreadfully wrong. That was a long time ago. The air quality in Los Angeles has improved. It was an involuntary lesson that continues to help me to remember that environmental concerns isn't a buzz word or a hoax perpetuated on the gullible. You see, it really doesn't matter to me if you believe in global warming or not.
I say that because I know that humans and human activities have an effect on the environment. Environmental concerns matter if you breath, use water or sleep on the planet. It is a multi-level problem. It is so much more than changing the type of light bulbs in your home.
Congress will make a decision on an energy bill. There are many vested interests. I want to be a participant; but before I can put my two cents in I need to know and understand a lot of different issues. One in particular is the concept of Clean Coal. Coal is not clean. The process of extraction is certainly not clean or environmentally friendly. Remember that Coal Ash spill in Tennessee a while back?
I need to know more. This is gonna be a two-fer. I want to find accessible information about Clean Coal. I also want to share with you the consumer friendly version of quick research and information evaluation process.
What Do I Want?
I want to know what is "Clean Coal", what is the process of making coal clean and what is the environmental impact both short and long term. I would like to get the information from authoritative sources like scientists or science educators but I need the information presented in plain English. If I can't find science accessible resources than environmental reporting would be acceptable if I can identify the source and verify information.
Definition:
I need to know what the term means. Since I am not going to write a master's thesis I can go to Wikipedia for an introductory background. I will not accept anything presented as fact because there are vested interest who can, have and will manipulate information. It is a just a starting point. Another definition I found is Ask an Engineer at the MIT School of Engineering.
Cornel University Legal Information Institute does have a definition that is being used by the U.S.Government under Title 42 > Chapter 85 > Subchapter IV-A > § 7651n where you can find out that there isn’t necessarily one simple definition.
Next, I’d use a couple of search engines to find definitions but 'I’d go into the advanced function and confine the search to the .edu domain. I’m looking for unbiased academic information. That said, I do know that certain colleges and universities get funding from coal production companies to aid in supporting research, products and services. Look for disclosure statements, outside associations sources of funding or where the school is located. If it is smack dab next to a mining community there may be issues both pro or con.
For example, from the University of Kentucky there is Understanding Clean Coal Technologies with links to videos and podcasts. Digging deeper into the website they have extensive information about mining coal, gas and oil. If you look at the list of collaborators there seem to represent companies with a vested interest in mining. It doesn’t make the info good or bad, it just means you have to consider the source of the information. Compare the University of Kentucky’s site with the one at Purdue University. What do they have in common, what are the difference and what are the vested interests, both inside and outside, of the university?
Finding Resources
Certainly I would also look at science specific magazines like Popular Science, websites like How Stuff Works, blogs, non-profit organizations, television and government agencies. Remember this is still in the discovery phase. I'm just sucking it in at this point.
You can Twitter your way to being informed. You can using the basic search feature to enter the term or use hash tags to find folks that mention the term. But did you know about the advanced Twitter search? It gives you more options like finding a specific person, date ranges or if there are links in the tweet.
Do you use a URL shortner? Some of those have search features as well. Bit.ly has a search function. For those URLs that were shortened by Bit.ly I can do a search for Clean Coal. I came up with 340 links that way - everything from parody, rants, educators, manufacturers and publications. Similar sites have search features as well.
Here is one more way to find folks that are talking about this topic. Blog Pulse tracks blogs and the topics like Clean Coal that bloggers are talking about. This is everybody into the pool; you will see links to politicians, newspapers, blogs, partisan opinions and if you dig long and hard a scientist or two.
Credibility
So you spent some time getting the lingo down, understanding concepts and weeding out the pretenders and political bloviates. How do you know if you are getting the straight scoop or not? It does come down to transparency and credibility.
- What is the background of the writer?
- Who owns the website or blog?
- How is it resource supported, by ads, what kind?
- Is there an "About Us" page that fully discloses the author and the source of information?
- Is it academic writing or is it some guy on a coach?
- Is it a public relations tool or it is an advocacy site?
- Does it give you the information in the way that you expect?
- When was it updated?
Purpose
The last thing I’d want you to think about is the purpose of the site. I’m sure that if I go to a few environmental or green websites they are not going to be too crazy about the concept of Clean Coal. I want to know why. I’d want them to be specific and give examples. I would not expect the coal manufactures to give me a complete picture either. This however would be their opportunity to present their point of view. I would equally expect them to be specific and give examples.
This is a very important issue. I’m not going to give you answers, heck I’m still putting together my own. I do want you to have skills in finding those answers for yourself. I am not unbiased. I think the coal industry is doing the equivalent of what automakers have done, known to my ancestors as the old shuck and jive. But I might be wrong. Or not.
I need to be able to ask questions of the energy plan. I hope you will do the same.
I know I missed the one resource that folks would want others to know about. Don’t hate, participate and plunk them in the comments.
Other Links About Clean Coal
- Janice Weis, Associate Director of the Environmental Law program at Lewis and Clark Law School moderated a discussion with a representative from the Sierra Club and the American Coal Council in April 2009 at You can listen to the podcast or view an on-line presentation.
- CE Virginia DeBolt also had questions about Clean Coal in her April 2009 post.
- At the Environmentalist Dr. James Hansen wants the President to know about the destruction of Coal River Mountain
- At This is Reality you can view the anti-clean coal commercial, obtain facts about coal and environmental effects of coal and check out the blog.
This post originally appeared on BlogHer, where I am a Contributing Editor.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Walking and the F-Cell Hydrogen Car
The sun is coming down but it is still a good day. I walked around town and took a few photos. I really miss walking around and seeing stuff. It is and therapeutic for me. I was walking around Pasadena and across the street from the Pasadena Museum of Art there was this car:
Naturally I stop and check it out. I like the size and the fact that you can park it anywhere, which in the L.A. area is no small thing. I don't know much about cars and even less about hydrogen fuel except what I was exposed to in science fiction movies.
I was snapping some shots when the owner came out of the gym around the corner from the museum. He was very nice and we started talking about the car. The owner said that he gets about 120 miles before he has to refuel. That's is ok for small condensed areas but not for bumping all over Los Angeles. This is a prototype car and it might be another six years before they are ready for the market place.
He gave me a flyer and we said our goodbyes. If you want to know more about the car and hydrogen fuel you can go to the F-Cell web page where you can download a .pdf and read up on the vehicle.
Now not to pick a scab or anything but if I were them I'd move this research to the head of the line. Yes, I know gas is cheap right now but I know it isn't going to stay this artificially low forever.
Mainly cuz we don't have a lot more dinosaur juice left in the ground. Ok, I know petroleum doesn't come from from dinosaurs. Wait, I don't know if that is true or not. I don't know anything about petroleum except for very limited examples in my home.
My point is keep the alternatives and the prototypes coming. Give me transportation options designed for my area and for the world as a whole. Yeah. That is what I wanted to say. Innovation, keep it coming.
Hey, somebody in the neighborhood has lit up their BBQ grill. Naw, car first and hydrogen BBQ grill later.
Naturally I stop and check it out. I like the size and the fact that you can park it anywhere, which in the L.A. area is no small thing. I don't know much about cars and even less about hydrogen fuel except what I was exposed to in science fiction movies.
I was snapping some shots when the owner came out of the gym around the corner from the museum. He was very nice and we started talking about the car. The owner said that he gets about 120 miles before he has to refuel. That's is ok for small condensed areas but not for bumping all over Los Angeles. This is a prototype car and it might be another six years before they are ready for the market place.
He gave me a flyer and we said our goodbyes. If you want to know more about the car and hydrogen fuel you can go to the F-Cell web page where you can download a .pdf and read up on the vehicle.
Now not to pick a scab or anything but if I were them I'd move this research to the head of the line. Yes, I know gas is cheap right now but I know it isn't going to stay this artificially low forever.
Mainly cuz we don't have a lot more dinosaur juice left in the ground. Ok, I know petroleum doesn't come from from dinosaurs. Wait, I don't know if that is true or not. I don't know anything about petroleum except for very limited examples in my home.
My point is keep the alternatives and the prototypes coming. Give me transportation options designed for my area and for the world as a whole. Yeah. That is what I wanted to say. Innovation, keep it coming.
Hey, somebody in the neighborhood has lit up their BBQ grill. Naw, car first and hydrogen BBQ grill later.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
I Have Entered the Electronics of Hell Zone
Crummy electronics be danged and double danged! 32 days after I could have returned the combo VCR/DVD player the DVD drive breaks. No fooling.
I put in my DVD copy of Long John Silver. No, not that guy! This was a movie and then a TV show from the 1950's. It was on sale at the beloved 99.99 cents only store and arrhh he and his crew is yar!
The machine just sat there. Nothing. No purple screen saying loading. No churning, chugging or chaginga chaginga. Drive door will not open. Turning it off and on gets me zilch. I just bought the dang thing 32 days which is 2 days past the take it back date.
20 minutes I spend trying to engage the drive into functioning. I get mad. I gentle pry open the drive to get the DVD out and the whole drive holding unit thingy comes out. I got a gaping hole where the drive cover use to be.
On the positive side the VHS side works great. No problems, Gargoyles never looked better.
In two months I have replaced a computer, a prior VCR, a prior DVD recorder that went bad after a year of limited use and purchased updates for software.
Oh yeah, let's not forget the digital converter that only picks up 1 channel and it is a Spanish language channel that I can't connect to the TV and combo unit at the same time. I had to buy an RF modulator and that kinda sorta solved my problem but not with the converter. I have great analog static on the TV.
That didn't bother me cuz I stopped watching regular TV anyway. Which is why I was digging the VHS and DVD player. I ain't digging it anymore.
I still have to buy stuff to transfer data from SATA drive and IDE drives and my DSL modem is getting finicky. Look, I'm all for stimulating the economy but this stuff is adding up.
32 freaking days? And what am I to do with all the electronic waste that I do have? I know not to throw it in the trash but I have no way of getting it to the recycling places. I want to be green conscious but at the same time this junk is piling up.
Sigh. Well, I'm waiting until after January 2nd for any further non-necessary electronic purchases. I will research the heck out of the next combo unit that I buy and me and Consumer Reports are going to be skin tight in agreement before I plunk down another cent for something I plug in.
Hey manufacturers, want to pull yourself out of a recession? Quit making shoddy product that die within 32 days of use. If you can't make it work at the price point you set then don't sell the piece of crap.
I put in my DVD copy of Long John Silver. No, not that guy! This was a movie and then a TV show from the 1950's. It was on sale at the beloved 99.99 cents only store and arrhh he and his crew is yar!
The machine just sat there. Nothing. No purple screen saying loading. No churning, chugging or chaginga chaginga. Drive door will not open. Turning it off and on gets me zilch. I just bought the dang thing 32 days which is 2 days past the take it back date.
20 minutes I spend trying to engage the drive into functioning. I get mad. I gentle pry open the drive to get the DVD out and the whole drive holding unit thingy comes out. I got a gaping hole where the drive cover use to be.
On the positive side the VHS side works great. No problems, Gargoyles never looked better.
In two months I have replaced a computer, a prior VCR, a prior DVD recorder that went bad after a year of limited use and purchased updates for software.
Oh yeah, let's not forget the digital converter that only picks up 1 channel and it is a Spanish language channel that I can't connect to the TV and combo unit at the same time. I had to buy an RF modulator and that kinda sorta solved my problem but not with the converter. I have great analog static on the TV.
That didn't bother me cuz I stopped watching regular TV anyway. Which is why I was digging the VHS and DVD player. I ain't digging it anymore.
I still have to buy stuff to transfer data from SATA drive and IDE drives and my DSL modem is getting finicky. Look, I'm all for stimulating the economy but this stuff is adding up.
32 freaking days? And what am I to do with all the electronic waste that I do have? I know not to throw it in the trash but I have no way of getting it to the recycling places. I want to be green conscious but at the same time this junk is piling up.
Sigh. Well, I'm waiting until after January 2nd for any further non-necessary electronic purchases. I will research the heck out of the next combo unit that I buy and me and Consumer Reports are going to be skin tight in agreement before I plunk down another cent for something I plug in.
Hey manufacturers, want to pull yourself out of a recession? Quit making shoddy product that die within 32 days of use. If you can't make it work at the price point you set then don't sell the piece of crap.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Eco-Bunnies Teach About Carbon Footprints
I'm doing some research on green, ecology and sustainability issues. I'm a newbie at this and I have many questions and suspicions about the green movement. Is it truly a movement or a fad or a new wave marketing opportunity?
I don't know. I'm in research mode so I'm looking around and checking out how information is being presented about important green and sustainability topics. I started with the bunnies. Eco-Bunnies to be exact.
For those of you that are true green please don't be hating on the bunnies. Everybody has a job to do so let the bunnies alone. Like I said, I'm open to learning and I'm just trying to get a grip on a very big topic.
For the record, I am a tree lover and hugger. I don't like to see men with saws near trees and see no reason why we can't plant one tree per person on the planet.
How do we turn that into a reality? One thought at a time.
I don't know. I'm in research mode so I'm looking around and checking out how information is being presented about important green and sustainability topics. I started with the bunnies. Eco-Bunnies to be exact.
For those of you that are true green please don't be hating on the bunnies. Everybody has a job to do so let the bunnies alone. Like I said, I'm open to learning and I'm just trying to get a grip on a very big topic.
For the record, I am a tree lover and hugger. I don't like to see men with saws near trees and see no reason why we can't plant one tree per person on the planet.
How do we turn that into a reality? One thought at a time.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Majora Carter Speaking About Environmental Justice
I've been waiting for this woman yet I did not know her name. You can't talk about environmental issues without involving people of color. You can't talk about living a green urban lifestyle if your neighbors down the road are exposed to toxins and lack of health treatment alternatives.
And you damn sure can't continue to export jobs overseas, import labor and expect the existing communities not to react in anger and escalating violence. We need to talk on many different levels. In the meantime, listen to Majora Carter in a July 2006 presentation given at the TED conference.
I want to give a shout out to Wildform.com. They sell multimedia software presentation products. I receive an e-newsletter about the software. In the current edition they had this link to Majora Carter speaking at TED.
They did not have to do this; it adds nothing to the immediate bottom line. But will I forget where I found the link to Majora's video at TED? Nope. Did I look at their line of products. Yes.
Will I give them fair consideration the next time someone ask me about presentation software? ;-}
Check out Majora's speech. It is about 20 minutes long. For those who want to know more visit http://www.ssbx.org/index.html
And you damn sure can't continue to export jobs overseas, import labor and expect the existing communities not to react in anger and escalating violence. We need to talk on many different levels. In the meantime, listen to Majora Carter in a July 2006 presentation given at the TED conference.
I want to give a shout out to Wildform.com. They sell multimedia software presentation products. I receive an e-newsletter about the software. In the current edition they had this link to Majora Carter speaking at TED.
They did not have to do this; it adds nothing to the immediate bottom line. But will I forget where I found the link to Majora's video at TED? Nope. Did I look at their line of products. Yes.
Will I give them fair consideration the next time someone ask me about presentation software? ;-}
Check out Majora's speech. It is about 20 minutes long. For those who want to know more visit http://www.ssbx.org/index.html
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Don't Know What You've Got-Cornfield #2
The sky is a joy of blue and white. I am walking through cornfields. The corn stalks are a foot taller than I am, planted thick so all you can see is green, yellow, sky, and earth.
I find the circle area in the meeting place. I sit and feel warm air wash over me. I look up, more sky. I look to the left; the Gold Line train is passing by. I look right I see industrial Los Angeles. Behind me is Chinatown.
QuickTime Dial-Up Version
Los Angeles is a source of constant contradictions. A few folks come by with cameras in their hands. One guy snaps one photo, looks hard at the land. I can see it in his eyes, “How much can I shoot of a cornfield?” But he keeps shooting and walks deeper and deeper into it.
I am alone with the elements. I like it. A lot. I start to heal a little bit. I have been too long from real land. Most of us have been separated from the healing powers of the earth. This is a quiet reminder of what we are missing. There are choices. We need to make better ones.
I find the circle area in the meeting place. I sit and feel warm air wash over me. I look up, more sky. I look to the left; the Gold Line train is passing by. I look right I see industrial Los Angeles. Behind me is Chinatown.
QuickTime Dial-Up Version
Los Angeles is a source of constant contradictions. A few folks come by with cameras in their hands. One guy snaps one photo, looks hard at the land. I can see it in his eyes, “How much can I shoot of a cornfield?” But he keeps shooting and walks deeper and deeper into it.
I am alone with the elements. I like it. A lot. I start to heal a little bit. I have been too long from real land. Most of us have been separated from the healing powers of the earth. This is a quiet reminder of what we are missing. There are choices. We need to make better ones.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
The Billows Are Tossing High - Prolog
This is a beginning of a text/video essay. I don’t really know how it will start or end but I have to follow this out. This will take a few days. This is new ground for me.
Sanctuary is a place of rest and safety. It is a permissible hiding place where you can lick your wounds and mend your soul.
After the past couple of weeks, I needed to find sanctuary. Because, quite honestly, I don’t know what to do with my anger, my rage about what is going on in the Alabama, Mississippi, and New Orleans areas of the country.
I know that the most Americans, even some of the ones that say they can’t abide liberals, are, at their core, good people. Honorable people. But something dreadful has happened to all of us. The American us. It is still happening. I can see it but others are rushing to put the scales back on their eyes.
The people who held guns at the crossing so as not to allow black folks to cross the bridge into their towns were evil. Pure ancient racists evil. I know it when I see it and hear it and no amount of justification is going to cause me to forget what was done.
The lack of preparation, the lack of communication, the plays for power and control and the hatred and continuous victimization of people in the least control of their situation. And the spin doctors working triple time to convince us what did and did not happen before our eyes.
The current American government did nothing. They let people die – of all colors, men women, children. It didn’t matter if they were conservative or liberal. There was no recognition of this event being a federal, national or humanitarian problem.
Not all of the victims are innocent. Perpetrators attacked other victims. Where did you think they placed ex-offenders in New Orleans? They dumped criminals in with the poor and the poorest of the poor. I’m not surprised assaults and looting of non-food/medical items happened. It was pre-ordained by current policies in effect across the nation. Not in my back yard, remember?
What am I to do with this? As an African-American, Black, Negro, Colored (I am old enough to have been labeled with all of the above descriptions) how do I keep rage, hate and distrust from dissolving me into my base nature?
I trust in Spirit but humans make me queasy.
I was riding the train and I saw the Cornfields. “Sanctuary," I thought.
Green stuff, dirt and air. I need real dirt. I need to sit in the sun. I need to reconnect with solid ground.
This is a bit of video taken Sunday September 18 at the Cornfields. Be warned. Sanctuary is elusive. It can be deceptive. Or it can be what it is. But for now it is a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The sky is blue. The cornstalks are high. The sun is warm. The beat goes on.
This is the link to the 160x120 QuickTime Version
Sanctuary is a place of rest and safety. It is a permissible hiding place where you can lick your wounds and mend your soul.
After the past couple of weeks, I needed to find sanctuary. Because, quite honestly, I don’t know what to do with my anger, my rage about what is going on in the Alabama, Mississippi, and New Orleans areas of the country.
I know that the most Americans, even some of the ones that say they can’t abide liberals, are, at their core, good people. Honorable people. But something dreadful has happened to all of us. The American us. It is still happening. I can see it but others are rushing to put the scales back on their eyes.
The people who held guns at the crossing so as not to allow black folks to cross the bridge into their towns were evil. Pure ancient racists evil. I know it when I see it and hear it and no amount of justification is going to cause me to forget what was done.
The lack of preparation, the lack of communication, the plays for power and control and the hatred and continuous victimization of people in the least control of their situation. And the spin doctors working triple time to convince us what did and did not happen before our eyes.
The current American government did nothing. They let people die – of all colors, men women, children. It didn’t matter if they were conservative or liberal. There was no recognition of this event being a federal, national or humanitarian problem.
Not all of the victims are innocent. Perpetrators attacked other victims. Where did you think they placed ex-offenders in New Orleans? They dumped criminals in with the poor and the poorest of the poor. I’m not surprised assaults and looting of non-food/medical items happened. It was pre-ordained by current policies in effect across the nation. Not in my back yard, remember?
What am I to do with this? As an African-American, Black, Negro, Colored (I am old enough to have been labeled with all of the above descriptions) how do I keep rage, hate and distrust from dissolving me into my base nature?
I trust in Spirit but humans make me queasy.
I was riding the train and I saw the Cornfields. “Sanctuary," I thought.
Green stuff, dirt and air. I need real dirt. I need to sit in the sun. I need to reconnect with solid ground.
This is a bit of video taken Sunday September 18 at the Cornfields. Be warned. Sanctuary is elusive. It can be deceptive. Or it can be what it is. But for now it is a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The sky is blue. The cornstalks are high. The sun is warm. The beat goes on.
This is the link to the 160x120 QuickTime Version
Sunday, August 14, 2005
This Land Is - Not A Cornfield
Los Angeles is a place that permits transformation. You can transform you body, your outlook on life, or your income status.
The physical land is also in a constant state of transformation. The “Cornfields” is a 32-acres section of land north of Chinatown of downtown Los Angeles. It used to be a huge patch of brown filler with junk and industrial waste sitting on top of it.
For the summer of 2005 the land is being transformed. However just to confuse folks, corn, beans and other food stuff are being planted in recognition of the ancestors. According to the brochure, it will be a living sculpture and an artistic resource center.
This is an art project created by Lauren Bon. After the corn is harvested, the land will transform again into a recreation park. In the meantime, there will be art events such as dancing, drumming, spoken work performances, and an opportunity to walk in true dirt.
When I visited the site the agricultural level dirt was in place and the irrigation system had been set up. A few weeks later there is a carpet of green stuff. For more information on the project, visit http://www.notacornfield.info
The physical land is also in a constant state of transformation. The “Cornfields” is a 32-acres section of land north of Chinatown of downtown Los Angeles. It used to be a huge patch of brown filler with junk and industrial waste sitting on top of it.
For the summer of 2005 the land is being transformed. However just to confuse folks, corn, beans and other food stuff are being planted in recognition of the ancestors. According to the brochure, it will be a living sculpture and an artistic resource center.
This is an art project created by Lauren Bon. After the corn is harvested, the land will transform again into a recreation park. In the meantime, there will be art events such as dancing, drumming, spoken work performances, and an opportunity to walk in true dirt.
When I visited the site the agricultural level dirt was in place and the irrigation system had been set up. A few weeks later there is a carpet of green stuff. For more information on the project, visit http://www.notacornfield.info
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