Nothing is sacred in the Police State

Freedom.  It is my mantra and my guiding light.  Liberal is a word to describe someone who loves liberty and therefore freedom.  The cycle of a police state always begins in freedom.  The freedom allowed becomes a corrupting force for some, and a guiding light for others.  Corruption is a virulent psychosis of the human species and always leads to suffering.  And when the balance of power shifts to those corrupted by the desire for power the police state forms.  First to protect us all, second to protect our valued interests, and third to perpetrate a permanent grip on that power, thereby removing the original reason and mode that the power was available in the first place.  Yet the struggle for freedom will always remain, and I believe always prevail.  It is an endless pendulum of balance, and the ignorance and stupidity that blinds the greedy seems to always keep the pendulum swinging wildly, never settling for long in a peaceful balanced state.

 

So I submit to you this article about High School students in Chicago that performed a completely non-violent sit in for peace.  An act of blessing directly descended from the very idol of the Christian faith which is purported to be the dominant religion in this country.  Has our nation's faith flown so far from it's teachings that we can no longer recognize peace for what it is? 

 

In so defending liberty we destroy it!!!!

 

Acts against the constitution, acts against free speech.  McCarthy has returned as Homeland Security who's mission is noble but who's authority has corrupted even it's simple charge: defend us all from threat.  Our leaders have failed us in the glint of opportunity to power.  It is up to us, as citizens, as free people to remind the government of this.  I call for more non-violent protest, I call upon every citizen to take charge in this.  Police, Army, Navy, Government officers, you are citizens who have sworn your life's work to protect this nation and guide her, what does your heart tell you?  Is sacrifice of freedom any way to protect it?  Is freedom more safe if it is LOCKED UP in a cage?

 

We have come very close to the edge.  If we can turn back will we ever be able to recover what we have lost?  If we must, we shall plummet over the edge into a void of renewal and chaos.  Of course this is what the founding father's intended to a degree, that the tree of liberty be renewed with the blood of patriots.  That blood has already begun spilling;  our brave soldiers overseas, the victims of terror at home and abroad, the futures of the students in the article above, and the fear in the hearts of every red blooded American who knows what freedom should be.

 

Eli Green, LEED AP

 

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PERMANENT CONTACT INFORMATION

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Portland, OR 97205 
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The beginning...

I am a serial optimist.  It is my mode of thought, and a way of life.  I will always be so, and I will always fight to thrive.  It is the nature of people to fight for survival, and this is what brings me to my point.  A town in Tennessee has run out of water.  They are making do, but the sheriff makes a great point at the end of the article: what happens when a town of 145 people runs of water is very different than when a city of 4.5 million people runs out of water.  It will be a riot, a fight for survival, a glimpse of what can happen if we find ourselves on a world out of balance.  We cannot rely on the good will of people to do make the transition smoothly, we must avoid that transition.  Incremental change is our only option.  Change now, from a centralized source, for the good of the people.  Because people have shown over and over that we cannot do it on our own.  That is not how survival works.  It is an every person for themselves mentality.  This is not the best way to survive!  We know that!  Yet fight or flight is not about knowing, it is about doing.  And what we do when the oceans rise, and the fresh water disappears will mark this era in human evolution more than anything we have ever done in the past.

 

Get ready.  The change is coming.

Blogger Buzz: Environmental Blog Roundup

Blogger Buzz: Environmental Blog Roundup
A very cool blog that links some environmental blogs that Trav.is sent me. ThanSave as Draftks Trav!

The world as we know it is over

Apocalypse is upon is.  No.  just kidding.  It's close though, especially when you understand that word to mean the end of the world as we know it.  Which it is.  People's lives are valued over the survival of the ecosystem, speciation, and a healthy globe.  And with that almighty constant reigning supreme in the equation we are unable to reach a balance.  Actually the word equation denotes equality, as both sides of the equals sign must be equal (that's why it's called an equals sign).  So when news like this reaches my brain I know that our growth means conflict and death for all other species.  Including our own.  We will evolve, we will struggle, and we might make it.  I give us 1/20 odds.  Not good.  But not altogether bad.  Problem is, we don't know how much we need every other species out there, or if there is a threshold where we have killed too many off.  Only one way to find out, right?  Cross the threshold, then we'll know.  And WE WILL ALL BE DEAD.  That is why we must be progressive, why we cannot wait!  Why we must start doing something NOW!  It's called being progressive and I know that scares the crap out of Republicans and Conservatives (and many Democrats and Liberals as well) but it's our only choice.... or Goodbye. 

 

So, knowing the track record of humanity.  This is an early goodbye.  I've loved you world, and I won't give up, but it's not going to last forever at this rate.  You don't give up either ok?  We can solve this.  Just don't hold your breath.

On old idea taking flight

Automated pods whizzing between destinations are an idea that has been around for a long time.  Imagined as a safer alternative to humans operating vehicles (an idea I heartily endorse) they have been attempted for decades and are rarely successful.  Well, this article from the guardian describes a new system going in at Heathrow Airport in London, England.  That's very shagadellic isn't it?  The article mentions a fee for the service, but it is unclear whether that is for the airport project or the proposed systems going into other cities.  Either way, the future is here, and robot pilots are awesome.  Give it a try next time you fly!

Uh Oh

Well, according to this article germs get way more potent in zero g.  Maybe we'll figure out how to get to the moon without bringing any of these nasty buggers with us, but it could be a big problem.   Just another chance for a cool solution I guess!

I love you rawstory for having this, and I love you Family Guy for drawing this, and I also think this is hilariously awesomely funny and hilarious. Thank god there are people out there with the skills to get paid to make this kind of stuff. Because I have to go draw a building.

Amazing, and equally as powerful as the original. Oden, we all support you and hope you get well soon. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help you get to know Portland better. From a long time Blazer fan to our new hope.

Election Reform: the single most important issue of the moment

http://www.getitstraightby2008.org

Our Fascist State

If you doubt in the slightest that we have not crossed the border between democracy and Fascism read this article and watch all three videos, each is short, and all are equally revolting, and all three are of the same thing.  This is not a joke, or a farce, this is recent news; an event that is a sad sad commentary on the state of our rights as Americans.  I hope this event turns into a lawsuit that goes on to affect the rights of police in action, severely limiting their protection in cases of civil rights violations.  That is what this is about.  Race, gender, orientation, religion - are not factors in civil rights violations.  These police offices need to be dismissed and prosecuted for brutally attacking an unarmed civilian acting within their rights.

 

But beyond this event, and the irreparable damage done to this individual, our nation, and the international view of this country what does this mean to you?  How will you feel next time you want to speak up to express your rights?  Or ask a question?  Or disagree with an authority figure?  Aren't these our rights?  Isn't that the FOUNDATION of this democracy?  I say it is too late already.  And we hover in the no man's land between capitulation and revolution.  Bloody and violent.  Sad and worse - a clear sign that this great experiment has failed, and despite the best efforts of millions we have been unable to create a safe, just, and reasonable society that can peacefully defend individual rights, and national values.

 

I know where I stand, and I can be but one thing; the change I desire.

Right up my alley

Thank you Google

A new fuel: Saltwater (but is burning things necessary?)

Just check out this web page about a man's new invention of a technique to use radio waves to break down the salt in salt-water which releases hydrogen that is then ignited. Wow. His last line about being willing to sell his invention is a truly sad cap to this story. But it does make for an interesting new way we might be able to drive industry. Shoot, if I could get this for my home, I'd be stoked!

Actually, just check out the video here:

My kind of architecture

Man I wish I could have been the one to get this commission, but the timing is off... give me about 30 more years I guess. Check out the article and enjoy the photo... we live in a very interesting world and at a very interesting time. The first commercial space port, soon to follow, the first commercial space structure, and then, as it were, the first commercial moon base, and you had better believe I'll be there with a hammer and a low G grin.

Wow, now this is how I'd like to get around.

Please, check out this article about a Mini that's been turned into an amaizng hybrid, far beyond the capacities of current available hybrids.  The trick is an old idea wherein each wheel has a motor inside, eliminating the need for drive train, engine, brakes, etc.

 

Truly the wave of the future.

A good use of the web

Just a simple kudos to the Seattle Examiner for including map content in their news article.  Now maybe American's will be able to find our own country on a map, and not react like this poor girl (who just plain got nervous, but clearly could use a little work on her public speaking and maybe a little less on her image.

Greenwashing the world brown

Inescapable: the fate of man to thwart ourselves and lead the world to ruin, with a bright eye, and torch held high, we face the future without contempt. Buy woa will be upon our brow when the future's falling failing furrow heeds no life from ground. Profit turns our daily clocks, wound with gears and springs clamoring for more resources, industry, blood, sweat, and tears.

In years far from now, people will not wonder why we went so wrong, it will be visible in the records, the recipts and tax histories. Written plainly for all to see: GREED. I do not ask for forgiveness, because we do not deserve it.

Greed in the Amazon

don't worry, the list will continue...

Moving in: Critical Paths

Prepare to be updated:  I have now moved in.  With the unprecedented help of 6 awesome friends I was able to move in to my house in one day, leaving only a few remaining trips of odds and ends.  This is how the critical path to moving in went;

 

Get keys on July 20th.  got them at around 11 am in front of my office from my awesome realtor Jesse Knight.  I was so ecstatic, I had to wander around for a few moments before going back to work to smile at everyone.  That night was also the release of Harry Potter 7, which is awesome so I didn't even go to my house to try out the new keys, I went to happy hour first with a bunch of buddies, then to Powell's till I had the book.  I decided to go to my parent's house afterwards because I had forgotten to bring my sleeping gear in the car that day.

 

Saturday morning arrived and I read HP in bed till about noon.  It is amazing.  Had some breakfast with my mom, packed my camping gear and headed over to my house.  My home.  All I brought was my pack and a laundry basket with my favorite Persian rug.  My buddy Adam Friedman (of Ovenlight) and his beautiful wife met me at my house and helped me make a grand entrance.  It was a great occasion.  Oh!  I forgot to mention the other thing I brought over - beer.  We drank some.  Shannon left to run an errand and Adam and I chilled out and checked the place out.  Turning all the knobs, opening all the drawers, checking all the nooks and crannies.  It was great fun, and when Shannon returned, she brought a wonderful gift of my first new house plant.  Thank you Shannon!  The left soon after (Shannon is pregnant, and couldn't stay longer as I had NO furniture in my house upon which to rest) and I was left to reading.  I rolled out my rug, inflated my camp mattress and unfurled my sleeping bag and read in the middle of the living room floor to my heart's content.  Jamie and Senna came by later and we had a similar time, rooting through all the mysteries a new house presents. 

 

Once left to my foibles again, I read and read all through the night, with a quick stop at my friend Lloyd's house for a little backyard party.  It was awesome.  Thank you Lloyd!  Back home I read some more.  That was it, the first night in my new house, sleeping on the living room floor on my rug, reading Harry Potter 7.  A suitable transition I believe.  I then began the process of making my house mine, and ready for me to move in. 

 

Monday, July 30th Nhance Flooring came by to refinish my original 1926 top-nailed hardwoods.  This was an absolutely generous gift from my father, to whom I am extraordinarily grateful.  Thank you Dad!!!  It takes a day for the floors to dry so you can walk on them, but a week before you can move furniture onto them.  Not to worry, I was headed to Florida for a long weekend on Thursday, and the days passed quickly.  Before I knew it I was back on August 7th and ready to move in.

 

Saturday the 11th was moving day, and like I said above, it was easy and fun with the help of these awesome people:  Jamie Pinney, you rock buddy, thanks for showing up early, helping, motivating and coming back later to end the night with me.  Alex Huang, an amazing man, manager and father.  You rock too, and I am thankful to have known both Jamie and Alex for over half my life now.  Curtis Johnson and Adam Friedman showed up and showed some serious muscle and with their help we got the couch, dresser, boxes and more all moved into Attila and the other cars and were off moving before I knew it.  Thank you both my friends, you rock three.  Kelln and Lindsay showed up later at my house and kicked ass by helping me go get two huge book cases from my office (thanks to Cujo too!) and cooking the first meal in my house which was amazing, and so suitable as it was a communal meal, shared by all, and enjoyed especially by myself.  YOU ALL ROCK!

Thank you all!

 

Yesterday, the 15th of August, Jamie Minkus met me at Ikea and we consumed their brand of delightfully quirky European design like voracious beasts and I now have a bed, a table, another table, some chairs and all the kitchen good I will need.  Thank you Jamie!

 

Now the fun really begins.  All the rest of the modifications, alterations, preservations, conservations, and discoverations are ready to go.  See you all soon, back here with more updates and soon to follow PICTURES!

Despicable, corporate belligerency

In this article, Johnson & Johnson is revealed as the corporation they are, with one single thing on their minds: money.  They are suing the Red Cross for using the logo of a red cross.  And yet, like so many typical corporate mindsets, they are ultimately decreasing their profitability.  By following the law that was set up (and citied in the article above) to allow J & J to share with the Red Cross the logo they have in common more people are exposed to the corporate image, creating better product recognition!  What a shame.  And for a for-profit corporation to sue a humanitarian organization at all is just nasty and revealing.  I just can't believe someone thought this was a good idea.  I am now boycotting Johnson & Johnson.

 

Join me in expressing your disgust by boycotting their products as well.

Green Living: A Home

I decided to buy a house as soon as I had a job, and that was back in November of 2006.  Well I found one, and I made the offer the day it went on the market, days before I was to leave for France for a week.  The offer was accepted and my excellent realtor Jesse Knight made the whole deal so easy, I was a little nervous it was too good to be true.

 

We had the inspection and sewer scope done within days, and the first hitch hit:  During the inspection, under normal investigative measures a leak formed in a pipe leading to an external hose bib.  The leak was due to corroded connections between copper and steel pipes. 

 

LESSON #1 Copper and Steel plus water = corrosion.  Do NOT mix copper and steel.  If you have to, there are special connectors you must use.

 

The situation was resolved with some difficulty because the realtors of the owner were very nasty.  But resolved it was, and the sale moved forward.  On July 11th I closed and signed all the papers. 

 

On July 20th I got my keys.  Ecstatic is the only word I can think of.  I bought a beautiful gem of a small house in SE Portland built in 1926, and retaining all the charm and qualities of that era.  Location was very key to my house hunt and I believe I have the perfect location.  I am right on a great bus line (not a major line, a great line that serves a very specific area, and isn't too fast or slow), very close to two major bus lines, and walking distance to a coffee shop, co-op, New Seasons Market, The Clinton St. Theater, a Burgerville, restaurants, and much much more.  This is South East Portland at is best, and on top of all that I am 4 blocks from my capoeira studio; Capoeira Regional.

 

There are a few issues with the house that I plan on addressing as time goes on.  First and foremost is the fact that there is no exterior window in the bathroom, and it is on an exterior wall.  The tub is a cheap-o unit and may have been installed over an existing window!  I will find out soon enough.  The second issue is the vinyl siding.  The house looks like it was frosted in petro chemicals, but I have seen through the facade and the original siding is intact underneath.  Phew.

 

It is a great little house!  And it is mine!  Hooray!

Just a pretty picture

from NASA

Portland: Greener and greener

Check out this page listing the top 15 Greenest Cities in the world, and please, notice if you will number 2.

Keep it up homies, and know I'm doing my best too, and if anyone out there has any questions on how they can do better, feel free to ask away. I may not have the answers you are looking for, but I might have the resources you can use to figure it out.

A great quote

"I know the people of Washington state didn't want lawyers and judges and prosecutors arguing about little piddly details like this," Hiatt said. "Is the person sick? Yes. Are they using it with a doctor's permission? Yes. Then leave them alone." From this article.

Amazing site

Talk about science, this is amazing. Or don't talk about it and just read about it instead, since you don't know what you are talking about. Yet.

Realestate speculation: positive

Look for the neighborhoods along the dotted line to blow up. I'm talking renaissance. Property values through the roof. Milwaukie; the next N Mississippi? I found this information here from a site that aggregates blogs based on location. Pretty sweet stuff! Thanks again to Tarek for being the source of all cool information.

Ethanol

The grain required to fill a 25 gallon gas tank with ethanol would feed one person for a year. Every time you fill your tank, think about biking, walking, mass transit or just relaxing at home. Live simply so that others may live.

Ethanol is an interesting idea, and I plan to go over the pros and cons in this blog over the next few weeks, but bear with me, as I will be researching and writing at the same time so look out for corrections.
First blush must consider the corn industry in the US and it's own problems. For instance, if we stop using corn to feed animals that were never intended to eat corn because it becomes too expensive is that a bad thing? I think not. Cows put back to pasture, and Americans eating less meat? Sounds too good to be true. We'll see.

My money where my mouth is

Here's something I don't ordinarily do: ask you to donate money (no of course not to me). The only reason I would consider this is because I believe in it, and I just donated some myself.

How many posts have I written about declining species on the Green Manifesto? Well here's a chance for me and you to do something.

http://www.nrdcactionfund.org/

This site is about protecting OUR national resources, which include wild spaces and wild animals, not just oil or coal. Other resources have value, and values much harder to calculate than the cost per barrel. So if you want to find out more, click the link. This campaign is about Grey Wolves, a distinctly American animal and one I personally find incredibly beautiful and elegant. And worth protecting.

As some of my more market driven friends might say, it's not the government's job to regulate the protection of these animals, but unfortunately they are the only people with the power to regulate these animals protection or destruction. It is the government in Idaho who is legislating the ability to hunt these animals who have just recovered from the brink of extinction. So I say, let the market speak! And I have now spoken with my very own hard earned dollars!

Preserve, protect, or perish.

An Awesome Idea

http://www.freespiritspheres.com/

just follow the link, then come back here and read if you care.

This is an incredibly cool idea/form/space/habitat and I am fully in favor. It could be incredibly sustainable, or it could degrade our natural spaces just as viciously as standard development. But I don't think it will ever be like that. Because people who would consider living in this sort of space do it for one or two reasons - they love and want to connect with nature as intimately as possible, or they are plum crazy-wild and have some similar tastes to your's truly.

Let your imagination run wild as I have. A grouping of these beautiful spheres, dangling in the canopy connected by suspended walkways is incredibly compelling. Perhaps one day, we'll get to see it in action!

Additionally, these interior spaces remind me more of a sailboat interior than a house. I think my aunt and uncle would tickled by this product. Thanks for the link Jess!

Outrage

I can only say it so simply. This is outrageous, and has outraged me. Our country is a bunch of sissies and this is exactly the kind of 1st Amendment protection America is supposed to be about. Read this link about a high school senior who has been punished for following the rules and writing something honest. I am not defending his content or timing, but I will defend his rights. The shooting at Virgina Tech is a tragedy and we must do what we can to prevent such tragedies in the future, but not by sacrificing our rights.

Yet another reason to install that bunker while you still can

Have you heard about the bees? They are dying. Life forms like bees that are a crucial and obvious part of our ecosystem are key factors that we use to predict and understand the natural world. And when they start dying, we know something bad is happening. Like the fabled butterfly monsoon connection, this sort of die off is usually the precursor to greater widespread environmental degradation and danger.

I am not suggesting that you go out and buy a bunch of honey, but if you want my suggestion, go out and start a beehive! Or simply create some habitat for bees to encourage their safe growth and a long term supply of life on earth. If you need more convincing here's a great link to an article about bee ecology and how they play a role in our agricultural economy way outside of the honey in the pot.

What's more, this article above suggests something even more interesting. As species decline in number, it is the smaller populations that decrease first. This suggests that smaller niche organisms are the first to go, and that the broader and more robust organisms remain. This has been the case for eternity and is nothing to laugh at or feel remorse over. It is a rule of nature. What it implies though does give me a bit of pause. Postulate with me what could happen if the niche organisms disappear or diminish greatly? It is the loss of the extraordinarily adapted symbiotics, the bizarre plants that lure outlandish insects, the rare plant that requires feeding by even rarer ants. Do you see where this takes us? To a world of switch grass and flies. To a land of few, not plenty. Speciation is one of the gifts of our extraordinary world, and one we must not take for grated.

BioFules in the sky and Bottles in the bank!

Now this is promising news, and coming from an industry leader, and not a government regulation! Being green and saving the world has FINALLY become clear and obvious to the tipping point majority, thank you world!

On another awesome note Oregon looks like it will move ahead and increase the acclaimed Bottle Bill to include water bottles and flavored water bottles! When the bill was introduced 30 years ago it was a landmark bill that increased bottle recycling 90% (all stats are from my memory right now) and stands to do the same with the ubiquitous plastic water bottle. This could make a very big difference in the world.

Bring em home, secure the world

Living Green, and coping

If you haven't noticed, I like to use the internet, for both reading and writing. And I am amazed every day by the sheer amount of information passed through this novel portal. Today I was amazed yet again, and by two very divergent yet strangely related sites. The first was Monsters & Critics who posted a story about Cheryl Crow, a person I know very little about, on a website I know nothing about. And the second was a satire posted by my friend trav.is.

What got me about the first story was the asinine response by all the people who went to the page containing an article that reports Ms. Crow's proclamation that women should be a part of protecting the environment by reducing their use of toilet paper to the minimum of one square per visit. This makes an incredible amount of sense, is very responsible thinking and can actually have a HUGE impact on both our water systems and our paper uses. It implies that this is for going "number 1" but the page did not specify. Nearly all of the responses on the page where churlish and rude, condemning Ms. Crow for voicing her opinion. I say to the people who wasted their time, energy, and money responding so sophomoric: get your heads out of the toilets and respect a small bit of honesty. She is right. This is one of the infinite, incremental steps you can do every day, every time you go to the bathroom to make a difference. It adds up.

We are so blessed in our first world nations (those of us who do, and of whom I am guessing represent 100% of my audience now) to have plenty, to have comfort, and to have extra. And we use more than we need because most of us do not know any better. This is one very palpable lesson in using less. Good for you Ms. Crow.

And now for the second article; a satire my Mr. Trav.is on the dangers of .... water. It took me some reading and common sense, and enough desire to even care what he wrote, to decode the blather of the site mentioned in his post, and it was funny, but I hate to say it, trav.is, I didn't really enjoy the joke.

Many people have incredibly intelligent and sound ideas about free market and open capitalism, and the effect of self regulation, but I am guessing, none of those people have ever suffered through or had someone close die from exposure to a toxic chemical leaked by an unconcerned corporation. It is simple fact that we do not understand the effects of what we do and create until years later, and I believe we should be responsible for our own actions. Just because we work for a company or corporation or government does not insulate us from the effects we cause, weather inadvertently or with full knowledge. Unfortunately not everyone acts with this level of responsibility, and in the glare of the gross, net, and margin, forget everything they every learned about what is right.

Because of these facts, it is vital and necessary to regulate people.

Federal law vs. State law

Ohh boy, where to begin? I had never thought about this issue before, because I used to have faith in our federal government, but ever since the election in 2000 I have begun loosing faith.

So to the point; states, as described in the Constitution (ever heard of it?) States are supposed to have the right to make and enforce their own laws, and yet the federal government is always sticking it's nose where it doesn't belong! Here's a for instance i just read about where the federal government is preventing a woman from taking the medicine prescribed to her by her doctor! The federal government is KILLING this woman and therefore it HAS FAILED.

We are very close to the end. I am not a doomsayer but I am saying it now. We are going down quickly, all hands on board.

Barren worlds: opportunity

What will happen when we discover other worlds with no extant life? Will we be able to tell that there is not life enough to justify bringing our own? Assuming the answer to that question is yes the next steps will be just as difficult. Will we bring plant and animal species from earth to populate a barren world with life as we see fit? Will we try to copy the successful bio system established on earth or will we experiment and make a new world in our own image? This begs the question of genetically altered species being a viable solution if there is no native species to harm.

All questions, and no answers yet... but maybe soon.

Solar utility

What is the biggest problem with solar? Real estate. So here's my new brilliant idea that will make me millions (of gigawats). A new form of electrical utility based on distributed generation and short distance delivery. So here's the pitch:

Lease from home owners and building owners roof top space wherein Solar PV cells are installed on leased roof space, the payment for the space will be in discounted energy rates, but the surplus energy will be distributed to the grid.

Prospective problems: Currently a pv array on your roof is too expensive to get a big enough array to fully power your own house, let alone surplus energy to share with the grid, but with the buying power of a utility (Publicly or privately owned) this problem can be overcome. PV arrays are notorious for being outdated quickly, but with a utility there can be a constant level of replacement and repair, and with this degree of investment technology will progress faster and the cells can be swapped out and updated more frequently.

What do you think? Are you ready to invest? Send me a note and I'll get us all started!

The best work station ever

From a cool article on a cool site.

No more stumps please!

http://action.wilderness.org/campaign/save_tongass_taf

Become a Conscious Warrior - Today.

An incredible person, friend, human being, athlete and thinker has published an incredible book; The Conscious Warrior's Manual. The author Ben Musholt is a physical therapist and good friend. I recommend this book to anyone seeking inspiration, ideas, or invigoration in their life. It is an easy read, entertaining and challenging. Ben addresses your personal health, the health of our civilizations, mental, spiritual, and global health in a scintillating convalescence of right mindedness and simple truths.

I just can't say enough about this book or the author, so figure it out for your self and click on the link to the right that I added to my template, or on the link above. You can buy this book online direct from the publisher (and as a one off, direct sale, this is one of the least environmentally taxing methods of book distribution possible). Enjoy the read and your future good health.

The Greenstigator

Damn it Chavez... why?

I've been a pro-leftist for years and I think I will always be, and then there are days. I understand the anti-Imperialist stance of nations, and I understand the use of that position pollitically. I also believe that many leaders use this catch phrase as a means to another end, a pollitical scapegoat or catch-all, that can be used to justify any action against an Imperial nation. And also, please remember that Americans in general are NOT Imperialists, just the one's that Republicans like to elect.

For instance, Chavez of Venezuela is a very left leader and I have supported his desire to set the course of Venezuela without the heavy handed influence of the US. That is their right as a country. And I understand many of the viewpoints in the Middle East that want the US out of their affairs as well.. some for very reasonable and righteous reasons, and some for political and often aggressive purposes. I think the conflict that is arising (politically, NOT militarily) with Iran is being argued on these levels. But that this is sometimes used as afalse front as an attempt to use a valid argument to further a dangerous, and possibly catastrophic, plan of action.

Recently the president of Iran met with Chavez and they spoke out together against the US imperialists. Understandable when coming from Chavez, who has felt directly the covert operations of the US secret service, and not so secret services. However this is not as reasonable when coming from someone who touts freedom with one lip and hatred with the other! Ahmadinejad is an outspoken anti-Semite who is actively pushing for the destruction of Israel and all Jews. Is this the kind of ally anyone should be making (anyone who is not a racist I mean)? Chavez has his hands full diplomatically with the US and the UK and probably the EU to a lesser degree, so why would he lend his support to someone with even worse relations?

"My enemies enemy is my friend" as the adage goes... a philosophy that speaks volumes about this strategy, and ultimately a strategy that works in wartime but not in times of peace. And that is what this is all about. Peace. Chavez, I want peace between all nations, and between Venezuela and the US is a good place to start. There are many people here in the US who support your efforts towards equality and freedom, and this is HURTING your cause, and mine.

I hope that this sentiment reaches your ears or eyes and you can review your choices to work with this man whom I believe is touting dangerous and hateful positions. Please do not facilitate this further degradation of your position or of the attempts to find peace between all peoples and all religions.

Ahmadinejad is a dangerous man and not someone to ally with until he changes is stance.

Donate to this:

I found this article on Rawstory, and it links to this site called EDGE. EDGE stands for Evolutionarily Distinct & Globally Endangered... yea, stick with the acronym guys. I think it is amazing, and maybe you do too? Look at the creatures on this site and realize the value of diversity. I was shocked to learn that the blue whale, on of the great giant mammals of the world is on this list, and is critically endangered. Can you donate too? I just did.

Greener than thou

Has anyone else noticed how sustainability is showing up everywhere now? And the long term greenies are getting a bit anxious... because their once strong and secure position in a field ignored by big business is becoming eroded... and this is exactly what they have been fighting for!

It's a double edged sword with a poison handle. So recognition is due and I'm not the one to do it. But others will. And even more will co-opt this incredibly enlightened position and take the money and the power that comes with being involved with a trend of this magnitude. For instance, GE just 'released' an electric car!!!! The Chevy Volt. CRAP! A press release so full of lies it is unconciousable to consider this a step forward. GE has been doing EVERYTHING in their power to hinder the advances in the electric car industry. If you want more proof see "Who Killed the Electric Car" because it's incredible just how low these people are, and sad how they have an open door into the wonderful field that has been sown by so many brave, sacrificing individuals.

But we are a community, and we are strong and it is not the time to be guided by fear.

Innovation knows no bounds so let us move forward again.

Great list of Green Thinking

Check out this link from my favorite online magazine Resurgance which is also available in print. It's a new year, and time for new thoughts. I will make an effort to post to this site once a week, with thoughts, updates and dreams for the new year, and our new future. Happy renewal and jolly winter warmth to you all.

Non-Smoking Bars in Portland

Non smoking bars in Portland:
Downtown:
Berbati's Pan - (2) reviews
Aura - (17) reviews
Barcode - (9) reviews
Bettie Ford Lounge - (34) reviews
Champion's - (2) reviews
City Sports Bar - (15) reviews
Crystal Ballroom - (4) reviews
Dan & Louis's Shucking Room - (2) reviews
Driftwood Room - (2) reviews
H2O - (1) reviews
Heathman - (5) reviews
Jax - (0) reviews
Kells - (7) reviews
Portland City Grill - (5) reviews
Thirsty Lion Pub - (9) reviews
XV

Southeast:
Aladdin Theater - (1) reviews
AudioCinema - (0) reviews
Bar Pastiche - (5) reviews
Blue Monk - (6) reviews
C-Bar - (11) reviews
clarklewis - (3) reviews
Crush - (7) reviews
Doug Fir Lounge - (63) reviews
Empire Room - (0) reviews
Holocene - (3) reviews
Imbibe - (4) reviews
Leipzig Tavern - (1) reviews
Madison's - (1) reviews
Nick's Coney Island - (0) reviews
No Fish Go Fish - (2) reviews
Skybox Pub

Northwest
Apotheke - (8) reviews
Brazen Bean - (16) reviews
East Chinatown Lounge - (6) reviews
Emanon - (0) reviews
Ground Kontrol - (0) reviews
Henry's Tavern - (8) reviews
Life of Riley Tavern - (2) reviews
Manzana Rotisserie Grill - (1) reviews
On Deck Sports Bar & Grill - (0) reviews
SoLo - (3) reviews
The Caddy Shack Pub - CLOSED - (0) reviews
Vault Martini

Equality and Balance

In an effort to swing the balance of wealth back towards the middle after centuries of incredibly subjugation by Colonialists Evo Morales told about 10,000 supporters in a plaza in La Paz "It is not possible, my friends, to have so much land in so few hands, and so many hands without land" . This may sound extreme to you, but if it does, I beg you to consider the extreme actions that resulted in this situation... Hundreds of years of colonial killing, molestation, subjugation, crime, and evil. And now, extreme measures are taking back control of a country that once thrived in peace.

Earth 2.0 -- The Big One

Ok, this is it, my first online exposure of the biggest idea to hit the Earth from my brain.

Earth 2.0. You may as well throw a Google in front of that, but don't, not yet... just wait for it and hear me out.

This idea comes from many others and from sources beyond my understanding, but I believe it is an important idea and certainly the wave of the future. Let's start simple; GPS is about as ubiquitous as cotton candy now, and as user friendly. You have a display in your car, it shows your location just like in all the video games with the word "strategy" in the description. That old top down, birds eye, axonometric view of the world. Strangely morphed to fit into a rectangular screen, but ultimately easy to understand and nearly intuitive. On said GPS driving aid devices, there are locations listed, and connections made. Let's leave this thought here for a moment and move on to the next step.

Google.com makes it oh so easy for us to find business and physical locations... they've even gone so far as to enable the world to build 3D models on free software (that's Sketchup for those not in the know) and upload them into Google Earth! You can add your house, or your office, or anything you want! Maybe even make believe 3D buildings, or if you are a history buff, and you want to add some historical scenery, whatever you want. I am sure there is some oversight but probably not enough to ensure accuracy.

I think you are ready for Earth 2.0 if you've gotten this far. Earth 2.0 is a user populated environment that is viewable on your computer, mobile device and eventually through a visual overlay in a real time vr environment. Glasses, goggles, contacts, whatever technology provides, this is my idea about the interface.

Imagine there exists an overlay of hyperinformation whenever you want. Or a completely different image if you so desire. A beacon of light locating your destination and 3D arrows directing you there, with distance remaining, and any GIS information you want. Linked to your own sensors and computer you carry with you, heart beat pulsing in the background or in a small corner showing your health and oxygen levels. You pass a bilboard and a rectangle overlays the shape in your vision, you click on the button and the link is bookmarked for future reference, or you are transported directly to their online store where you can purchase the item... you walk past a store, and their hours pop up, or an ad and inventory and price list.. or you turn that off for a little visual peace and quiet your pop up blocker running full time.

This is the beginning of my first sci-fi future history, that I will be writing over the next decade. It will extend into the near solar system, and the psychological realm of the sensile divide.

Ok, since you asked, the Sensile Divide is the chasm between our senses and our mind. The difference from seeing a word and knowing. The difference between hearing a phone number and having knowledge of a phone number without hearing it, or reading it. The difference between using your eyes to see, and pumping visual data directly through your optical nerve. It's the facade of our senses and the reality of our mind-dream.

Some possible scenarios:

The Helio has finally introduced the buddy beacon, something I thought up years ago. Simply a GPS device enabled in your cellphone that allows you to locate another cellphone via the same system. I haven't seen it work, but I hope it's just a 3D arrow and a distance. Wouldn't that be useful if you had a chip in your car, on your pet's collar, maybe your keys? Or your house... you see where i'm going with this? You can locate any destination or device with this and you can choose a simple arrow or a map, or when you get close enough the map switches to an arrow, or maybe just zooms and the proportions change. The problem? Your cellphone is the screen through which you use this interface. Earth 2.0 starts there, but the real move is in VR.

Semapedia is on to something relating to this, the first step.

New, Green, and Greener!

Well, here's the big news... I have decided to join a firm and take a job. I have just started working with BOORA architects as a full time Architectural Intern and i'm totally satisfied with my decision. It took some hard thinking and ultimately a gut decision, but why not check out their web site BOORA.com and see for yourself just who I'm with.

While my first day was slow it was good. I enjoyed meeting many of the new faces and sat in on some design meetings on my first project, a K-12 school in Happy Valley, Oregon. I had some extra time and came across a great article about the Green 50, a listing of companies that are pushing the envelope on Green. I think you'll like it but if you're short on motivation or time for reading, check out this slideshow while you eat your granola.

More soon, I promise.

The most amazing thing i've seen in too long

Thank you Tarek. You always give me the best technology.

Is this the way we create a better world?

I am outraged by everything I see our government doing. I officially
rename the democrats the GOP because they are the party trying to
stop this monster from destroying everything good about America. And
there are many good and great things. More than I could possibly
document, but I might try.

But for now, take this article http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/
2006/10/05/america/NA_GEN_US_Airline_Screening.php about how Evo
Morales, the president of Bolivia, one of the poorest countries in
the hemisphere, is on a no-fly list here in our own country. His
people have bothered us never, and never will! They have a navy in a
lake, because they are proud people who have been struggling for
centuries to get the very same damn rights we profess are for
EVERYONE! And now, our pretenident has put him on a list with
terrorists. I demand change. I am tired of W sullying the once good
name of this country. Aren't you? What about you, Mr. Republican?
What does America mean to you? Freedom? Gone. Truth, honesty, even
dare i say, good-Christian behavior? GONE.

We are the scum of the world. Lower even than the poorest and most
deprived contries. Perhaps now that we've been brought down so low
we will be able to find the damn terrorists that have attacked our
country, but only because we are on the same sad level they exist on.

Good luck to us all, and hope. Hope to bring us back to the peaceful
belief in others and hope that one day we may find truth, freedom,
and comfort once again.

Our Allies to the South

Have you seen in the news lately headlines like "Our Enemies to the South" or "Chavez Sowing Discord - Danger"?

I have. And I am enraged by the inaptitude and arrogance of our government and it's position towards South America, and more to the point, South American Democracies. Hugo Chavez, Evo Morales, Lula, etc... all democratically elected leaders, all by a larger voter turn out than our "flagship" democracy can boast. It is absurd. These countries have every right to use their assets and resources strategically, the same as us. And to claim that they do not, that their actions are subverting our positions shows us even more clearly how weak we are as a country. To call them enemies because they choose to do what they will with their resources in a non-violent and non-aggressive way is utterly preposterous. It makes us look weak, it makes us look petty, and it makes us look down right stupid. Which I believe our government either is, or is actively trying to achieve the image of. End results - same.

So, I have a proposal. Treat these incredible nations, and even more friendly and wonderful people that make these nations as equals. Treat them as WE would like to be treated. Does this ring a bell anywhere? It's called the golden rule and is a central tenant of nearly every faith known. George W. Bush claims to be a Christian, but by his actions he is anything but. South America could be an amazing ally, of free, democratic, people. The kind of people we crave to be once again. Let us support them in this quest, instead of hinder them.

Our name calling has a grave effect. It de-humanizes the people of these nations, and will forever sully our name and reputation among these people. If we spent the same money we use demonizing them to help them the international situation would be one of hope, and mutual trust and respect. Instead it is a situation of anger. Of name calling, of humiliation, of de-huminizing terror. And we are the terrorists.

Is this your vision of our country? Is this your vision of the world? Of Christianity? Of hope?

This is my kind of article

Well, it´s not every day I find something useful in my Google Alert: Moon Base email, but today I got a great link to an article about life escaping the earth. Unfortunately all of the great refrences in this article are not links so if you want to do a bit of searching, you´ll have to google on your own, or check back here later when I have done a bit of my own. But if you want at least one head start check this article about the extraterrestrial imperative.

WAKE UP AMERICA You have been warned

Greetins fellow Americans,

If you are not aware and enraged then you are not American, or simply unaware, but now you have been warned. One of the most basic principals that makes us Amercian is Democracy, and that very foundation of our culture and socitey has been completely undermined and eroded by the very government we create and support. Please read this article and realize that your votes do not count. It is time to take back this country. Huge and complete reform is needed. Let´s make it happen now.

Remember how I said our country is going to hell?

See, I did say that. But what I want to show you is this, and I hope you´ll join me in boycotting this property ownership.

Check out this article on a banned piece of clothing and then join me in a boycot of Simon Property Group Inc.

So now it´s inciting a riot to speak for peace. This has been the way our own (!!!) Government has kept the people from speaking for years. Peace equals violence. Well I´m not taking it anymore. Peace means peace and you had better expect I´ll be doing more peacful protesting when I get back.

I hope you´ll join me.

Windmills...

What´s the purpose of technology? Is it to make our lives better, easire, more complex? Answer for yourself, that´s the purpose. It´s many things good and bad. So consider this article about some big new wind farms ready to go in (lot´s of projects, and kw and dollars) and a military study about windmills effect on radar. It´s sort of blankent ban the energy speculators claim and some say politically motivated. Makes sense in a way, we´re fighting a war over oil now, so it doesn´t really make much sense to subert the price and competition for oil.

But let´s forget about all the politics for a moment and consider the effect on the landscape. Imagine open prarie or rolling hills, rivers, forests. Covered in windmills. Can we still consider this open space? How will the presence of such devices affect our perception of nature?

Wind energy is one of the most abundant and clean energy sources we know of. The materials needed to construct a windmill are not exceptional. The resource they are drawing from is (seemingly) immense and even infinte, well wind speeds are picking up!

How will windmills effect habitit if expanded to a great range? Perhaps this is our best solution, the landscape peppered with giant peacful giants, and energy aplenty, but I don´t think any solution that takes on the present demand is efficient or sustainably, and reducing demand is always the best solution.

And I think i´d rather have a windmill in my backyard than a nuclear plant over the hill.

Old Idea, New Life

One of my favorite people and I were having a discussion a while ago about the state of the world and we both decided it could be better. One of the main ideas we tossed about was the idea of new governments. Governmentes based in space, in new forms (without land or property?), or without extant populations. I really like this idea and think it works on many levels.

Why be part of a government that you don't believe in? Why not form your own or sign up for one that guarentees you the rights you want? Pay taxes to them, get defense and rights from them. Be part of a collective, or a mutual.

The easiest way to see this happening is if there is an orbiting platform that houses the governemnt and acts as the "land" for the country. The other easiest option is Lunar establishment, with the oportunity for colonization.

Ken Macleod writes about these ideas in his Fall Revolution series, the first being The Star Fraction wherein there are areas on Earth governed by Space, and when entering one of these areas you literally enter space territory.

So why can't we have these now? Why can't we have a government that is totally new, of totally new ideas, and open to anyone who wants to be a part of it? If the USA and other countries are already using mercenary forces for protection and offense, then this government can too. So you tell me why or why not.

Viva Freedom!

Now i'm scared

So, if you're not scared by this, they you should join the army. World War 3 and if you still think Bush is a good president (or even person) you should definitely join the army. Right now.

So I've been thinking... a lot

So many thoughts and so much to think about.

Some were generated while sailing aboard Northern Light with my aunt and uncle Deborah and Rolf. I read many good books, learned how to sail (somewhat) saw some amazing things, and had a great amount of time to just be and relax. When I got back to La Paz through some serious events, traumatic and beautiful, I took more time to recognize what was going on within. Then I read Cosmic Trigger and my mind was opened to some other possibilities.

But let's talk green for a second.

La Paz is a city of extremes. Up and down, poor and (moderately) wealthy, but like any city or civilization considered modern, La Paz has a pyramid shaped demographic. So many of the people here are on the low end of an economic slope that is traditionally unclimbable, that survival needs have dictated a sustainable lifestyle, and it's only those few on top who are riding the western wave of SUV's and waste.

Now that's not to say that there aren't sustainability problems that saturate life for all in La Paz, but it's just less likely that someone making less than a dollar a day will waste anything. One big problem here is plastic and other non bio-degradable waste and litter. The city has novel approaches to this problem, but recycling and reusing of typical disposables is needed here in a big way. There is some recycling but nothing universal or consistent throughout the city.

So what would it take to make a city like La Paz, where so much is already reused, recycled, and run down? Clean energy, and a local and less polluting fuel source for vehicles. Elimination of the ubiquitous plastic bag (that is a certain part of the economy here), and education. It sounds like a lot to do but it's nothing! Really! Compared to what we must overcome in countries with the horrendous and despicable consumption problems like the good ole' USA, Bolivia could be the first, and best country in sustainability with much greater ease.

What does this mean? Globally, and here, where I sit, in La Paz, Bolivia. Perspective shift. Change of vision. New Vision, and no programs. The people of Bolivia are some of the most mobile minded people in the world. They have had 30 changes of power in 25 years, and for the first time they have a president who is loved by the people, respected by his peers, and unafraid of pressure from outside.

I say it now, Evo Morales, you have a chance to be the leader of the world in National Sustainability. How would that feel? For one of the poorest countries in the hemisphere to lead the world with vision?

Amazing. Great. Proud, and above all, hopeful.

Blogging will be slow here... but not....

Hi you faithful blogger type happy people!

I'm back on the internet but i've got to tell you that i won't be posting here much... well, that could change but for now check out my other blog Bolivia Bound as it is where i am (bolivia) and is what i'm writing aboutl. Hope you enjoy it and i hope you are living and feeling as green as possilbe!

Best,

Eli

America; Growing less and less free

I am forced to ask myself "What is Freedom (to me)?" due to recent events, and to the current state of affairs in our country. This article says it all. South Dakota has passed a bill that will cause a legal chain of events that can lead to the Supreme Court and an overturning of Row vs. Wade. It is happening right now. Are you angry? I am. I think it's time to show it.

Organize. Speak with your friends. Get angry and get active. If you believe in this country as I do then you must believe in speaking up for your self. For your rights. No Man will make this change as powerfully as a woman can. That is a simple fact. It is woman's bodies that are being violated just as much as their rights. The right to make a choice about YOUR OWN life is what is at stake here. The life of a being growing inside you is up to you. That's that. Just as I would eliminate an unwanted parasite in my intestines, I have the right to choose to choose about what grows and what doesn't grow inside my own body.

I know this view is unpopular with many people who thing god has given them the right to decide what is right for others and that does not alter my view nor my choice to write about it.

God help us, for America is fading before my eyes, and she is my country, and I love her. It is time for us to save her. And God is my ally.

STEELERS!!! YES!

Well, it's been a long time since I wore Terry Bradshaw pajamas and not quite as long since I watchd O'Donnel suck in super bowl XXX, but it's finally here! The Steelers WON THE SUPER BOWL!

I think this picture says it best.

Congratulations Steelers.

Politics, politicians, deadlock.

Political deadlock, we've lost our path. What's the point in continuing debate on American political issues if the vision guiding them is flawed? And I'm not talking about the vision of the founding fathers. Or the progressive leaders from our countries past. I'm talking about now. It's not longer about leading. Winning elections is not about leading this country any more. It's about making people rich. It's about power. Power corrupts.

And here's how our politicians are handling diplomacy, with tit for tat actions that they themselves say they are against! Check out this article about Venezuelan and American relations.

I'm sick of it, and I'm sick of this illegal and ulawful administration. Someone PLEASE HELP US! Helping America Vote Act. What a load of rubbish. We haven't had a fair and open election for the last two presidential votes. Someone please help.

Power. Maybe that's the problem. And this president wants nothing more than more more more.

My president is Al Gore. The guy who WON the election.

Well, goshdarnit let the revolution begin!

So. It's time already. Hasn't the guy who wrote this article read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress? Well, it's on. I'll be there waiting for him with plans, people, and a vision. Viva Luna!

ch E li

The Afterlife: A serious threat

So this is something I have been thinking about for a very long time,
and is something I have discussed at length with friends, colleagues,
and people with different views. I have a feeling that many people
will disagree with my views, but I believe that it is their divergent
perspective that is incorrect, and not my view.

The after-life is a very serious threat to our environment and to our
culture. I do not believe in an after-life in any way in which any
semblance of our bodies, or even our personalities are preserved.
There is a fundamental energy to life that cannot be created or
destroyed. That much is clear and incontrovertible. The Christian
myth of pearly gates, cloudy destinations, and people walking around
having a good (clean) time is nothing more to me than a myth, and not
a very interesting one at that (unless you examine the social
fallout, and that is what this is all about).

The cause of this belief is complex, but I believe it rests in the
church, the establishment of the church, and not in the preaching or
stories of Jesus, or Moses for that matter. It is an idea (a meme if
you follow) that was put forward to create within believers a
reaction. That reaction has the following results;

1. A belief that this is only a temporary and in-between life/world
that we live in
2. What we are doing here and now is only a test for this later
existence that is superior to the existence on Earth
3. What we do to this world and the environment doesn't really matter
because this world doesn't really matter, it's only what comes next
that matters.

This is the life that matters. We create Heaven and Hell RIGHT HERE.

To each man is given the key to heaven. the same key opens the gates
of hell.

My Face.jpg

My Face.jpg
Originally uploaded by eliahusevenseven.

This is how I look when i close my eyes. I'm staring myself in the face as I prepare to depart for Bloivia. I'm ready. Are you?

Republicans Vs. Democrats

In this article I found on Raw Story Congressman Harry Reid (D-NV) says 

"Democrats must stay on the offensive against scandal-ridden, Republican-run Washington," Reid added. "Together, we must clearly and effectively communicate to the American people that it is the culture of corruption created by Republicans in Washington that is standing in the way of action on their priorities."

Democrats on the offensive against Republicans.  Do you know what this gets you?  Politics.  Not Government.  I do believe that the majority of Republicans are corrupt, and that they are in general more corrupt than Democrats, but when they fight each other, it does not solve anything.  What we need are for Democrats to continue to do what Harry Reid has done and CHANGE the way Washington (doesn't) work[s].  Leadership and vision, change and renewal.  Not Offense and Defense.  Not Accuse and Protest.  Leadership by example.  That is the only way.

Please,  all members of our Government, follow in the examples of those before you who put aside personal ambition and led this great country honorably, and help us all find hope.

The Fundamentals of Anti-Game

This disclaimer comes with a disclaimer: I am not a player and I have never pretended to be, or been labeled as one. In fact I'm a super dork and that is why this works, and honestly, it all comes down to one thing; honesty.

ANTI GAME

To understand anti game you must first think about what game is. A good friend once described game in this way: "Game is whenever you do something because of how you think the other person will react." very true and very simple. The repercussions of this statement are immense. This means that every time you put on your clothes and wonder "Will this make me look hot?" or "Do I look like a dork?" you are playing the game. Every time you say something that you think someone else will find interesting but you don't you are playing the game. Every time you raise your hand in class without a question you don't already know the answer to, game. Every question a lawyer asks a question she'd better damn well be playing the game (but that's a whole different thing). You get the idea. Doing anything because of how you THINK someone else might react is game. And game is BULL.

So Anti-Game is NOT the absence of game, it is the opposite and actively opposite of game. It exists because of game (and is therefore inherently flawed - we'll get to that later). Anti game is best described in examples and there is a range of examples...

Example 1 courtesy of Br. Alexander B.; "I insult a girl so much that if I EVER say anything nice to her she feels special." this is a classic case of taking it to far and being downright rude. There are girls that will go for this and they tend to be very self destructive. I do not condone this at all.

Example 2; Say crazy things that you really believe. "I like your sleeves." from Napoleon Dynamite is a great example. He is totally anti game (and borders on the next level... later! later!)

Example 3; Don't care. Really, don't care about stuff.. Don't take things personally. It's part of being a strong person. Believe in your self and don't care what other people say or think. This is hard to over emphasize. This can be close to ignoring something you might want, or actually just telling someone there is something you want (maybe them?). The trick is to never be false. If you aren't ready to ask for something you want because you are afraid of not getting it, don't ask. Ignore it and let it come to you and spend the time you would have spent obsessing over it doing something productive for yourself.

Example 4; Talk yourself down and others up. This is akin to being modes about yourself, and flattering others (always with honesty, never say something you don't believe and never write anything down you wouldn't want your mother to read).

AND NOW the next level... Beyond the reaching of Anti-Game sits Unwantable.

Unwantable is the pinnacle of being honest. It is where you are so honest with yourself that you don't care about hiding any of it. Show it off. Show the world who you are because it doesn't matter one whit what they think. One of my favorite examples of this comes from my own experience.
I love the smell of lavender. It is my favorite smell. Many people in our culture and others think that smelling like lavender is feminine and ridiculous for a man. Well I don't care. I was given a bottle of lavender essential oil. Sometimes I put it on like cologne and go out. Women smell it on me, and it's like nails to a magnet. A really really strong magnate that shocks the nails out of their comfort zone and into a brand new bigger and better comfort zone.

Most men are not comfortable enough with their masculinity to do this. That's ok. I am. And when people realize this it is profound. Go ahead. Be yourself. Be Unwantable, and the world will be yours.

PS Please use this information for good only. If you do not you will die and be unhappy.

Anti Semites are bad

So I was out last night celebrating my purchase of a ticket to south America with my friends. We ended up at the Boiler room, one of my usual karoke spots. It was open mic night for comedians. We came from the Low Brow where we satisfied our need for an American specialty known as the white trash special (a miller and a shot of old crow). Needless to say we were well juiced and ready for more action. Jojo and I arrived at the Boiler Room and sat down with our buddies who will remain nameless to protect the innocent. We enjoyed a comic. Very self deprecating, and very funny. Then the next guy came one. His first joke was outright Anti Semitic. The boiler room. So, naturally Jojo stands up and TAKES THE MIC from the guy. It was awesome. He had no idea what to do. She started asking why he was making such jokes and he had no answer. It was awesome. Then he called her a c*nt and a b*tch. So I got up. I grabbed the mic he had taken back from Jojo and started talking into it. It took the DJ to put on music and cut off my mic before I let go of it. By that time Jojo had gotten into talking with the joker and his buddies. I went over and joined them. They were some of the most spineless dweebs I have ever talked to. It was almost no fun showing them and the rest of the bar how stupid they were, partly because it was so easy, and partly because they sucked so much to be around. Eventually someone got slapped and everything got crazy, but bottom line, we ended up safe and sound and a bit grittier for one reason: standing up for what you believe in is gritty business. But someone's gotta do it.

The Two Nows

One is the NOW that is happening simultaneously everywhere all at once. As in right here, right now where you are reading this, and simultaneously right now across the world, across the solar system, across the entire universe, the same now. The second NOW is the now of limits of information. The NOW that looks like fresh sunlight to you streaming from the sun to your eyeballs. In reality that light is minutes old. It is the NOW that is perception to you. If someone sent a message from the moon that the sun has set on the moon and you are hearing it, the sun actually set seconds before you received that message, but to you and the universe the limits of information transfer are for now the speed of light and nothing else. Since that is a set speed limit there is an appreciated NOW that is what we perceive, and not what is really happening. I ask you, which is more important to you, and which do you use?

I thought so.

Why does time always seem to get faster?

Time is a subjective experience. It is always in flux only because we are always in flux. Time ticks on, and the moment is as constant as this passage. In fact there are two nows, but I'll go into that next. So why does time seem to always be speeding up in our lives? Each year is shorter or faster than the last, each day, a smaller interval unto the next. Here's why:

When we are born we are zero (at least in our culture). As soon as a single day has passed that day has been 100% of our life. By the time we are two days old, a day has dropped in proportional value to 50% (wow! That's worse than buying a new car!). By the time we are three days old a day has again devalued to 33% of our life. There is a mathematical equation here, and you can substitute any quantitative value for "day" that you like. Q for quantity or number of time units being used to measure our life, q for the unit itself (one quanta), and N for number of units that have passed. So;

q * n = Q

q/Q = devalued percentage of q

q = the weighted value of a year

Now take this on a comparative basis, if you are the modest age of 28 years old (as I purport) the equation looks like this

1 year * 28 years old = 28 years old

1 year/28 years old = 3.5% q

when I am 29 q = 1/29 = 3.4%

A better mathematics student could turn this into an elegant equation, I cannot. However what this does show is that each unit of measurement is further devalued as you age, so there fore each day year, month, whatever you are older, is shorter and a smaller percentage of your life. Time does not get faster, your appreciation of it perceptually dwindles.

The Two Nows deserves it's own post. Coming soon.

Yea, so i'm kinda upset... but also joyous!!!

First the good.

Evo Morales has just been elected to the Presidency of Bolivia, the very same Bolivia that I am going to in February. He's the first Native American to become president of any American country since some guy in Mexico in the 1800's. He's a coca grower and a socialist (I think).

I cannot wait to get there and see the democracy in action. The people! Power to the People!!!!

The Bad.

Our government continues to piss me off. Like all the time. Bush is bad dude. He is a profit seeking corrupt capitalist and I cannot stand the fact that OUR COUNTRY, the country that is supposed to have cherished freedom more than any other, is being led to the slaughter one brilliant soul after another in a land of peoples that have done nothing to us. Now, terrorism, that is an evil thing and something to be ended but not by killing people in Iraq. Have we even tried diplomacy? Do we even know who to talk to? Have we even tried? It's almost Christmas. All those beautiful sons and daughters killing each other and all they want to do is be home with their families celebrating and loving. And all they get is another clip.

Peace love and happiness, the world over.

Scary American tactics to sow discord

So i'm reading the news and I came acrosst this bit:

Canada shrugs at US warnings not to bash

to sumarize this text is copied from the linked article

"In a hard-hitting speech in Ottawa, U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins lamented what he called relentless and incessant criticism of his country, which he speculated might begin to sow doubt about the strength of the binational relationship."

Other countries are not allowed to speak their opinions any more? We can not critize? They can not critize without "sow[ing] doubt about the strength of the .. relationship?" That is crazy and it is against the ideas of free speech that our country holds most sacred! Who is this ambassador and why hasn't he been fired yet! Insulting our neighbors in such a childish and paltry way offends me. We should praise them for speaking their minds and for being HONEST!!!!

DAMN! I CAN'T believe what has happend to our country and this administration is at the roof of all of it.

DOWN WITH THE EMPEROR! UP WITH FREEDOM!

We're just a bunch of animals

Isn't it odd, but it's the moments of our greatest humility that make
us feel most human. LIke when completing an act of base animality
(urination, fight or flight, lust, hunger, physical weakness) I
recognize my basic nature as a hairy mammal. Yet we spend so much
time in our heads, in constructs of thought, of emotion. Detailed
vanguards of inner dialogue and debate. Ideas spun in virtual
syntax, we separate our lives from the very acts of living that we
don every moment. I feel it's important to remember how truly animal
we are. It is our nature, and it is our future, no matter how hooked
in or digitized we become.... until the AIs arrive at least ;)

Datasphere

The datasphere is the maximum potential of thought. It exists as potential, and all of our humanly efforts are merely coloring in the framework of the sphere that exists all around us and everywhere. It is possible that everything we think we know as individual is merely the areas we have colored in personally through our own experience.

hmmmm.

Google questions

So I had a brilliant idea. What if (abbreviated w/i from now on) there was a forum where you could go to a google site, write the name of a person you wanted to ask a question of (presumably someone well known or famous that you wouldn't ordinarily be able to contact like the President or Emperor), and then write your question. Google would take all of it's brains and aggregate the questions based on key words and then deliver the questions to the addressed person in the form of a list with the most requested questions. The person could then "Respond to the People" in whatever from they wanted (maybe a Blog or a television address, or their own personal website).

Whaddya think world?

My morning commute

I woke up this morning... watered my plants via the first ever smart spout (tm) and skateboarded to work via the interstate max stop on interste and mississippi. Check out my route...

Click on me! I'm the Map of My Route

it's so dope. The bottom part where Mississippi curves under the freeway ramps is my favorite. The road banks and curves under and through the giant concrete superstructure of the freeway, and at the bottom, a max station, ready to wisk me away to work.

Enjoy the day, it may be your last!

Snowboard season has arrived!

It's an early start for oregon, but Mt. Hood is open for business. I can't wait to get on the mountain again. At the end of last season (for me it was in Utah) I got a new board while i was there, and i finally started doing 360's! I haven't exactly landed one yet, but i've been really close a bunch of times. Just the fact that i'm attempting them is enough for me! So, i'm planning on heading up there this Friday with Ben, my roommate, and anyone else who wants to go.

I can't wait! Hooray! SNOW!!!

Peace be with you my friend, peace and love and snow.

Mt. Hood List

So the smart people at Mt. Hood put together a "craigslit" type page (their words) to allow people to post and read postings regarding the entire mountain, gear, tickets, and most important to me now, transportation!

here's the link:

Mt. Hood List

Check out Rider Board and you'll see the thread I started about organizing people in an anarachtic fashion to take the max to the last stop and then catch a ride with someone who has room! This will offset the drivers gas costs (people would chip in for gas at a standard rate) and allow people without cars to get to the mountain. Subverting the system through the system. A whole new system.

My favorite kind of system... self subverting. I LOVE SNOWBOARDING! It's almost time too!!! Yippee!!!

Battleground Iraq: The crusades continue

I just realized the possibility that W began this war in Iraq not to fight Saddam Hussein, or even as i have suspected for years, to secure his oil supply and keep the money pouring into his and his cronies pockets, but to create a battle ground to fight the Islamic nation, and the extremists. Just a thought, but the imagery we get coming back suggests this may be the only truth I can truly know, because it is my own.

The results are in... I'm famous

I took the "Which SciFi Character are you?" challenge and it turns out I'm the man. My favorite SciFi character of honor. Well... it could have been Han Solo, which would have suited my fancy better, but in reality, I'm a Jean Luc

Two of my favorite charicatures

The Claw and the Scimitar from left to right
This is text but it cannot possibly convey as much as this picture:

First email blog attempt

So this is just a test, but it’s very important to me because I am a dork.  A super dork.  I drive the Dork mobiel and I call it the Space Pod.  I would like to go to the moon.

Eli Green
LEED-accredited professional
503.515.3834  www.bwnw.com

Intelligent Strategies for Sustainability

Meditation 1 from the prayer book

Just as the hand, held before the eye, can hide the tallest mountain, so the routine of everyday life can keep us from seeing the vast radiance and the secret wonders that fill the world.
-Chasidic, 18th Century

A sweet year to you

Today is the new year if you are old school and old testament like me. But more importantly this holiday marks the return of the year. Each year on Rosh Hashana the chestunuts begin droppping. They lay on the ground as a visceral sign of the seasons turning and my life extending. I hate to miss that symbol of the year. I think the sound of the shofar is similar in it's effect. The live reverberance of the horn and music echoing in the temple and resonating in my body and spirit, exposed for the duration of ceremony. Truly a moment I cherish.

Shna Tova my friends,

Eli