Three Short Answers

Today, like most days, I had to explain to someone why I was a vegetarian who eats mostly organic foods, why I didn't sit in front of the TV and why I was taking my "garbage" home.

My answers to these questions vary, depending on my mood, but here are my answers today, as I am in a gentle mood.

1. I don't want to eat meat and I don't really have to. By combining certain foods like beans and rice or beans with potato, create a complex protein very similar to that found in meat. The one thing missing is the iron. For that I load up on green vegetables like spinach, brocoli or asparagus. If not, I take a mutli-vitamin to make up for my lack of iron. Not to mention that the means by which humans kill animals for food is...well...I find it unsettling.

2. The average American sits in front of the TV roughly 6 hours a day! To paraphrase Tim Leary, " that means that the average American sits like a vegetoid slug in front of a screen absorbing loads of information......" For me, that's not the answer for someone who desires an authentic existence. A DVD once in a while is a nice way to unwind, but I just find more intersting ways to occupy my time.

3. I take my "garbage" home because it is not yet the law to force businesses, restaurants and bars to recycle. Until it is, I will coninue to take my recycling to-go!

Timeless Knowledge

"We cannot get rid of mankind's fleetingly evil wishes. We can get rid of the machines that make them come true." - Kurt Vonnegut

Song Of The Day - Something For Nothing - Rush

Since as long as I have been listening to Rush - some 20 odd years, this tune has always been and remains of of my favorites. It rocks, yes, but what has always stood out is the final verse - on it's own is brilliant, but a screaming Geddy Lee gives it the punch it deserves!

peace and Happy Friday


Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee

Waiting for the winds of change
To sweep the clouds away
Waiting for the rainbows end
To cast its gold your way
Countless ways
You pass the days

Waiting for someone to call
And turn your world around
Looking for an answer to
The question you have found
Looking for
An open door

You dont get something for nothing
You dont get freedom for free
You wont get wise
With the sleep still in your eyes
No matter what your dreams might be

What you own is your own kingdom
What you do is your own glory
What you love is your own power
What you live is your own story
In your head is the answer
Let it guide you along
Let your heart be the anchor
And the beat of your own song

Springtime Memories

The morning began gently. The soft glow of the sun mixed with the leftover evening cool did much to lighten the mood. Spring could be smelled in the air, and felt throughout the body. People seemed lighter, less in a hurry; this was quite a welcomed change from the harshness that winter bestowed. It was a time to look forward, breathe the air of change, to float on the river’s current to destinations ever unfolding along the banks of life. The season of rebirth restores our strength, our spirit, our love – allowing us to become the blossom of our hopes, and our dreams.

It’s only human to want joy and happiness to consume our everyday.

"Those condensed moments of pure delight are truly magical. Desiring that all the time, I think, is natural. I guess what I've learned is sometimes, for sure, it's tough to see beauty in such an [often]"ugly" world. That's when I think we ought to close our eyes and peer within. Go back to those moments of joy and reflect on them and reconnect with, as Joseph Campbell would call, our bliss. It's always there; sometimes we just find it difficult to tap into it. So, as we dive inward - let us see through eyes of wisdom and strive with a soul of perseverance." - bflo

Song of the Day - Billy Bragg - Waiting for the Great Leap Forward

In September of 2008 I had the pleasure of attending a very intimate show featuring Mr. Billy Bragg. He played the tiny La Maroquinerie in Paris' 20eme arrondissement. Having been a fan for some time, I was more than excited to see him perform. What I'll say about the show is this; it was arguably the most enjoyable concert I have ever been to.

It was a perfect night. Billy played an amazing show and created a wonderful connection with the 300 or so of us in the audience. He sang our favorites and shared for us a bit of his ideology about love, war, peace and life.

After the show he came up from the basement to the outdoor courtyard and mingled with those of us who wanted to continue the evening talking about our favorite moments of the show. He proved a humble, gracious man who, to me at least, really is his music. His songs are captivating, moving and timeless.

Here is a clip of Billy doing Waiting for the Great Leap Forward for a television show in Seattle. The intro for the show is a bit long, but this version gives you an honest look at what it's like to attend a show.

Enjoy!

Visit his site for information on his Summer 2009 tour dates. He will be playing across the US from 31 July to 05 October.

http://www.billybragg.co.uk/index.php

String Theory is a bluegrass band that is well-known in and around western New York.

Check out String Theory and have a listen to the band, read their latest news and find out about upcoming shows!