Friday, November 27, 2009

Free Yourself From Corporate Rule


Buy Nothing Day started in North America in the early 90's and has grown to an international day celebrated in over 50 countries.

Before you buy, ask yourself:
Do I need it?
Can I afford it?
How many do I already have?
Is it recycable or renewable? If not, how will I dispose of it?
Is it made in a sweatshop by a child slave?
How does my consumption effect poor countries around the globe?
Am I thinking for myself or am I just part of the herd?

Celebrate the holiday season(s) and BUY NOTHING!! This year make a gift, write someone a song or poem, cook them a homemade dessert or at the very least, support your local, independent retailers!

"Don't you know when you're out shopping your just fillin' up someone else's pocket book? You think you bought what you wanted man, no you probably just bit the hook." Uncomfortably Numb - Jared Burton

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Le Foot Pas Les Mains


It’s hard not to be disgusted after last night’s World Cup qualifying match between France and Ireland. For the second consecutive match, the Irish team was the better on the field but came up short. Yet, in a world where cheating is rewarded, it only makes sense that Thierry Henry’s blatant handball will be justified until it is forgotten.

I have been on the winning side of cheating. In the 2002-03 Western Conference Finals my Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings in what is now being described as a big fix. The more talented and tenacious Kings were robbed blind by the league and referees to make room for the star studded Lakers in the finals. I, like the Kings, feel cheated.I find myself caring less and less about the "spectacle" of professional sports.

Let us not be too surprised by this latest event. Even when the truth is seen, simultaneously by millions of viewers and spectators, its clear that no one will come forward to rectify the situation. Did any of the big corporations and banks come forward after the collapse and say “Oops, my bad sorry, here’s your money back” or “No thanks, we don’t deserve bailout money cause we lied, cheated and stole”? Hell no! So don't expect Thierry Henry or his conspirators to come forward either. Should we blame them? If they really believe in the simple "referee error" theory, no we can't blame them. But Mr. Henry clearly and deliberately broke the rules and should at the very least, own up to it.

If a sport is a metaphor for life, then last night’s disgraceful qualifying match is an accurate description of the reality of our existence in the society we have created and perpetuate. Hard work, honesty and tenacity DON’T payoff. Especially when profit is of utmost importance for sports and its governing bodies.

Ireland’s “loss” also seems like a reminder to us in the lower echelon to remember our place. When and if we make it to the big stage and get a chance to play with the ‘big dogs’ understand that the playing field will not be even and that revenue, power and interest will also be playing against us.

If Thierry Henry and his teammates were real men and had respect for the game of Football and sport in general, they would come forward and admit to the infraction and, at the very least, accept a rematch with Ireland. But don’t expect that. Much of today’s news gives the French media and their supporters far too much credit by stating that they are ashamed. That is extremely false. They are ecstatic about qualifying and when pressed about the legitimacy of their victory – they point to Maradona’s ’86 goal in a world cup quarter final.

I’m sorry, using that incident to justify the result of last night’s match is clearly a crime against reason. To even go so far are to try and end the issue by claiming it was a "fault d'arbitrage" (referee error) still doesn't cut it. Yet, there nothing we can do or that will be done about it. France will go on to South Africa while the Irish players will be left with the "what if" idea that will most likely haunt them for some time.

© bflo12, 2009

Monday, November 16, 2009

Open Thread


For more disocurse like the above cartoon, visit www.ecohearth.com - the premier ecology site on the web.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Park and Suites Lyon Part Dieu - Review

Doing my bit to punish lazy hoteliers the world over. If a place is cheap and I get what I pay for, then fair enough. But if I spy an injustice then I seek revenge like Ben Affleck in Daredevill...

A hotel review by Dean Turner

I stayed in this hotel because I needed to be close to the Part Dieu TGV station. Therein lies the first problem! It is probably 800m from the station and not the stone's throw they advertise on their website. France does not have a great athletic tradition in the javelin, but if this hotel can find the person who threw a stone from the Part Dieu to the front door of the Park and Suites Lyon Part Dieu Hotel then a gold medal beckons in London 2012!

The room was perfectly clean and comfortable , and double glazing meant that I scarcely heard the trains ( a lighter sleeper may struggle) that pass by the foot of my bed.

The real let down was the fitness room. One dangerous treadmill (a mechanical fault meant it slowed down randomly in use) does not constitute a fitness facility. It was also in the same room as the Jacuzzi/ small pool, which made the humidity perfect for Bikram yoga enthusiasts but for anyone else it was mighty uncomfortable.

All in all, this is not a bad hotel, but as I chose it based on its gym facilities and its proximity to the station it is safe to say that I won’t be returning."

After asking if I could post the review the gracious author of the review had this to say.....


By all means use that hotel review - it is up on trip advisor now. Hotel is called 'park and suites Lyon Part Dieu" - reading it again I was a little kind. It was a really lazily operated joint run by a disinterested management who know nothing about running a hotel. I'm sure they take the money, make the beds, clean the rooms etc, but all notions of service were lacking.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Manchild in the Wasteland


Manchild in the Wasteland
Saturday,
December 5th, 8:00pm International House - Davis, CA

Manchild in the Wasteland is a one-man performance written and performed by Davis native and returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Barton Bryan. Come experience the roller coaster ride of Barton’s desire to join the Peace Corps, his struggle to adapt to the realities of living in West Africa and finally, coming to terms with being a part of the village.

While on the journey, Peace Corps' Head Trainer Buck Hess will open your eyes to all the fascinating and sometimes shocking details of being a West African Peace Corps Volunteer.

This engaging and enlightening production will be performed for one night only at the International House in Davis, 10 College Park, Davis, CA http://www.internationalhousedavis.org/

Tickets are $15 and $10 for students. Seating is limited. Reservations and tickets may be obtained by calling Mary Jo Bryan at 530-756-3191 or visit his website at http://www.letsgotoafrica.com/West_African_Caravans.html and link to Manchild in the Wasteland Play. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Barton at barton@letsgotoafrica.com.

Barton Bryan has spent the last 9 years focusing on two main passions: Africa and acting. After completing a BA in Vocal Performance, Barton joined the Peace Corps and spent two years in Mauritania, West Africa where he taught English and worked with his village on several development projects.

In 2005, Barton put his Africa pursuits on hold and moved to New York City to study acting at the Maggie Flanigan Studio. During that time he wrote Manchild in the Wasteland and performed it several times off-Broadway and in Austin, TX.

Barton eventually moved to Austin, TX with his wife Val. Since then they have travelled to Tanzania with a non-profit organization to help an orphanage, and in early 2009, Barton and Val started a Volun-Tourism business which offers travellers a chance to engage in local developmental projects while discovering Africa’s natural and cultural beauty.