Werd

Al Gore coming to Toronto

makerofhappytrees — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 19:40:46 GMT

Memorandum “This is not a political issue: it is a moral issue” * Al Gore On Wednesday February 21st, Toronto citizens will unite in a peaceful display of solidarity in response to Al Gore’s message delivered in AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH. Al Gore is scheduled to speak at 7:00pm at Convocation Hall. As 900 tickets sold in 1 minute, and the website crashed due to more than 20,000 hits in 3 minutes, it is apparent that many in Toronto are in agreement that we are suffering climate change. Please show your support for his crucial message by attending an hour long candlelight vigil to symbolize that you are willing to become Carbon Neutral and recognize your ecological footprint. Meet in front of Convocation Hall from 6pm – north of College and west of University Ave. Walk through the main gates of the U of T campus and you will find King’s College Circle. Convocation Hall is on the left. Carry a small light which we will turn off at 7:00pm when Al Gore begins his lecture inside the Hall. Families are encouraged to attend. Contact: etcag@sympatico.ca East Toronto Climate Action Group

Nuclear Iran

makerofhappytrees — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 21:29:36 GMT

Dropping a bomb French prez blows West’s cover on Iran using nukes first – it’s not going to happen By GWYNNE DYER For more than two years, all the big Western powers have insisted that Iran's nuclear power program is secretly intended to produce nuclear weapons, and that the minute it gets them it will launch them at Israel. But on Monday (January 29), French president Jacques Chirac said something very different. He said Iran would never use them first. "I would say that what is dangerous about this situation is not the fact of [Iran] having a nuclear bomb," Chirac said in reply to a journalist's question. "Where will it drop it, this bomb?'' Chirac asked scornfully. "On Israel? [The missile] would not have gone 200 metres into the air before Tehran would be razed." He spoke as if deterrence would work even against Iran. As if the country were run by sane human beings who don't want their children burned, crushed and vaporized by Israeli and American nuclear weapons. He's not supposed to talk like that in public. "Chirac gave us a moment of honesty,'' said Alireza Nourizadeh, chief researcher at the London-based Centre for Arab-Iranian Studies. "His comment was basically what I believe to be the position of Britain, the United States and much of the West: if Israel is attacked, there will be no hesitation to bring retaliation and destruction to Iran." And that, Chirac concluded, meant that Iran would not use its nuclear weapons to attack Israel should it ever acquire them. In Chirac's view, the danger is not that Iran would use its nuclear weapons, but that they would lead to a general proliferation of such weapons in the Middle East. "Why wouldn't Saudi Arabia do it?" he asked. "Why wouldn't it help Egypt to do it as well? That is the real danger." But he's not supposed to say that either. Those are the West's allies, the very countries that the United States is currently trying to mobilize to lead an anti-Iranian alliance of Sunni Arab states. Chirac was simply stating the truth as he (and many others) see it, but his comments completely undermined the joint Western position, so the following day he was forced to retract them. He didn't say he was wrong, however, just that he'd thought he was speaking "off the record" when discussing Iran, as the interview was originally about climate change. France is clearly very worried by the drumbeat of anti-Iranian propaganda in Washington, which sounds alarmingly similar to the campaign of misinformation waged by the Bush administration before it attacked Iraq. Last month, Chirac was forced to cancel a planned visit to Tehran by his foreign minister, Philippe Douste-Blazy, because his allies did not trust France to stick to the party line. They were doubtless right in their suspicions. But France is also right to argue that Iranian nuclear weapons, if they existed, would be primarily defensive in nature and would not be used to attack Israel, because nuclear deterrence still works and Iranians do not want their country to commit suicide. It is also right to worry that an Iranian bomb would create pressures for further proliferation, as Arab countries that have lived under the threat of Israeli nuclear weapons for 40 years decide that living under the threat of Iranian nuclear weapons as well, with no means of deterrence or retaliation, is simply intolerable. Certainly, France is utterly hypocritical to worry about Middle Eastern countries owning nuclear weapons when it has had them itself for almost half a century, but that is equally true of all the other great powers. And it is jumping to conclusions when it assumes that Iran's stated (and quite legal) desire to enrich uranium for nuclear power generation conceals a drive to get an actual nuclear weapon as soon as possible. The truth may be that Iran is for the moment seeking only a "threshold'' nuclear weapons capacity: a level of technological expertise from which it could, in an emergency, develop actual nuclear weapons in only six months or so. Such a position is entirely legal, and some 40 countries currently hold it. The truth may also be that the nuclear-armed neighbour Iran really worries about is not Israel but Pakistan, whose 1998 nuclear tests scared Iranian strategists half to death. They don't worry about the intentions of Pakistan's current dictator, General Pervez Musharraf, but they know it is a one-bullet regime and they worry a great deal about what kind of fanatics might succeed him in power. So maybe Chirac's gaffe wasn't as accidental as it seemed. Maybe he wants people to re-examine all the lies and half-truths we are being told about Iran as Washington seems to be gearing up for another attack. And maybe we should. the end news@nowtoronto.com

Green Party releases biodiversity plan on anniversary of UN Convention

makerofhappytrees — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 15:30:22 GMT

Ottawa, Dec. 29 - On the fourth day of Christmas, the Green Party of Canada issued an urgent call to action to protect partridges, pear trees, calling birds, French hens, turtle doves and Canada's endangered species from the threat of extinction. Fourteen years after the UN Convention on Biological Diversity went into force, the federal government has yet to pass effective Species At Risk legislation and complete Canada's network of national parks and marine protected areas, said Green Party leader Elizabeth May. Today the Green Party responded with the release of Investing in Biodiversity - a comprehensive blueprint for protecting Canada's natural capital. The plan calls for $500 million to be added to existing 2003 and 2005 budget commitments to complete the national parks and marine protected areas system. "Every prime minister of Canada for the last 20 years has committed to completing the network - except the current prime minister," said Ms. May. "Canada desperately needs a bold new campaign to protect biodiversity but the Harper government insists on looking the other way." "Biodiversity" is a complex word for a simple concept. It means nature itself - everything from micro-organisms to landscape diversity, from partridges and pear trees to forests and oceans. Other urgent issues addressed in Investing in Biodiversity include the need to overhaul the failed Species at Risk Act and provide the research and logistical support to ensure that legislation prevents adverse impacts on habitats and ecosystems. Investing in Biodiversity is a follow-up to the Green Party's Green Plan (GP2) released earlier this year, which condemned the federal government for systematically undermining the role of scientific research in supporting ecologically protective legislation. According to the report released today, knowledge of species and the ecosystems in which they live must be the foundation of an effective national biodiversity conservation strategy to protect vital ecosystems like natural prairie, old-growth forests, un-trawled ocean floors and freshwater habitats. "Not only has the federal government been gutting research agencies created to understand biodiversity, it is also ignoring the recommendations of its own scientists on how to protect species and their habitats," said May. "Without scientific knowledge guiding our decisions, we will continue to over-exploit resources and suffer the economic and social consequences." In April 2006, Fisheries and Oceans minister Loyola Hearn ignored the advice of Department of Fisheries and Oceans scientists and blocked the listing of the Interior Fraser Coho salmon as a "species at risk." The listing would not have reduced the commercial fishery but the minister's decision was an extinction order for the coho. The Green Party will continue to put pressure on the federal government to live up to its obligations under the UN Convention on Biodiversity to prevent species loss and habitat destruction while fostering a holistic and humble view of our place in nature through public education and awareness. Changing the way we place economic value on the natural world through full-cost accounting and taxation and fiscal incentives to conserve valuable land will also help Canada protect its dwindling biodiversity. The Convention on Biological Diversity, negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Program, has three goals: to promote the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. Contact: John Chenery 416-532-8218 416-452-6016 (cell) jchenery@greenparty.ca

Touch the Sun

makerofhappytrees — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 16:46:00 GMT

I've been away for awhile, sucked into the vortex of the physical world, busy working, creating, learning, and manifesting--and this space has been quiet. After being away from Torontoland for quite sometime, I've returned and have been reconnecting with old friends, while also meeting new ones, who will all play a pivotal role in the future of Touch the Sun. I've just finished a training program for Film/ TV industry professionals here in Torontoland. It was an intensive ten weeks of in-class lectures, guidance, panels, and seminars. Part of the program was the development of a company and a 'first' project to launch through that company, and as a result of the program, I've received much insight into Touch the Sun, where the idea was lacking, and how to finally birth this juggernaut. I've also just finished Directing and Producing my first feature film and am currently developing three TV series and a handful of feature films. And now, I give to you the new Touch the Sun... Touch the Sun Productions begins through me as a film/ video/ multi-media production company that is already established, staffed, and ready to go. Touch the Sun Productions is a Film and TV Production company focusing on the production of long-form ethnographic and documentary productions for theatrical release and Documentary and Ethnographic TV series that will focus on multi-cultural bridge building, inter-connectivity, Green, Spiritual and forward thinking ideas, and Political and Social reform. These productions may take on the form of the experimental, or poetic, or traditional narrative type productions. The intention is to welcome other artistic disciplines, healers, and forward thinkers into Touch the Sun Productions to become a multi-disciplinary production collective and to create an intermingling of ideas and art, and the Production company will bring those ideas to life through the disciplines represented in the collective. Touch the Sun Productions will establish an Artist-Run Centre and I've already gots my sights on an old Vaudeville theatre that's in need of some lovin'. This centre will be a place for the company to work and play together, and will also provide a means of presenting our work to an audience by hosting one-off multi-disciplinary events and by having regular presentation possibilities for film, theatre/ dance, visual arts, music and so on... As mentioned, I am busy developing film and TV series through Touch the Sun Productions. I will always use the international markets to sell Touch the Sun Production's work, which will bring money into the company, while also promoting the collective. I will always retain educational rights to sell dvds on the Touch the Sun Production's website, which will allow Touch the Sun Productions to become a self-distribution entity for its own work. Touch the Sun will launch a full-on broadcasting entity within the next year, which will feature the work of the Toronto company through a film, video, and new media channel, internet radio station for music and information, a visual arts gallery and publishing house, which will be run out of the Toronto Artist-Run Centre. Remember, the Artist-Run Centre houses a fully functioning production collective, which enables us to create our own work, hold workshops, training, and healing sessions, for internet broadcast. An open call for user-generated content will also be extended, as long as the work fits into Touch the Sun's mandate. The eventual goal for this webcasting network is to become a self-sufficient producer of original content for the web, and a viable marketing and financing plan is in place to get us to that stage. The most important thing I've learned in the program I just finished is that the future of broadcasting is on the internet--one only has to look at You Tube to understand this BUT no one has figured out a viable way of making money from the internet--until now. It is still my intention to establish Artist Run Centres, either in-city, or eco-village, around the globe to create a network of venues to present work in, produce work out of, tour work through, and broadcast work onto the web from. I've looked into satellite connectivity and IT IS NOT THAT EXPENSIVE, so even the most remote eco-village can be connected to the network and will be able to broadcast to the web. On a side note, I've established a development relationship with a web-tv company in San Fran, and will be arriving there in Jan/ February to begin discussions about possible collaborations with them for the future. More details will be available when they are finalized. While in SF, I will also begin developing a film with a new friend, and will be laying the foundation for a SF Touch the Sun Production company there to work in tandem with the Toronto office. My silence is over. The dance begins now and I am seeking facilitators who would be interested in working with me to help create this network. Even if you think you have nothing to contribute, all voices in this choir will be heard. The only requirement is that, in addition to singing your song, you must love to dance. Michael

The Godfather of Soul

makerofhappytrees — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 18:07:19 GMT

from BBC News Obituary: James Brown James Brown was the self-confessed "Godfather of Soul" When James Brown styled himself Soul Brother Number One, for once, this was no idle showbusiness exaggeration. His influence on popular music was, quite simply, enormous. He transformed gospel music into rhythm and blues, and soul music into his own creation - funk - with its driving rhythms and insistent beat. His performances remain unsurpassed for their urgency of expression and raw physicality, influencing later white rockers like Mick Jagger and Iggy Pop. Born James Joe Brown Junior in 1933 in a one-room shack in the backwoods of South Carolina, by the age of seven he was boarding at a brothel in Augusta, Georgia. He helped to pay the rent by shining shoes and tap-dancing in the streets. Nine years later he was harshly punished for trying to steal a car. Sent to prison for between eight and 16 years, he eventually served only three years and a day. James Brown on the stage in the 1960s Brown was a charismatic frontman On his release, he joined a gospel group. While pursuing a promising but ultimately abortive career as a semi-professional boxer, he rose to become the leader of the James Brown Revue. Audiences were delighted and outraged by the group's tight R&B sound, fronted by the charismatic Brown, whose stage antics caused him to shed up to seven pounds a night. In 1956, Brown wrote the song Please, Please, Please. It sold one million copies and propelled the singer to stardom. Other hits followed as Brown worked up to 350 nights a year, earning himself another reputation, as the hardest-working man in showbusiness. Though the financial returns were scant - Brown and his band members earned a derisory $150 each for Please Please Please - he refused to compromise on the quality of his performances. His reason was simple: "When you're on stage, the people who paid money to get in are the boss, even if it cost them only a quarter. You're working for them." The success: James Brown in the 1970s He treated his band like an army, imposing fines for lateness, scruffy costumes and poor playing. By the early 1960s his growing reputation saw him play to packed crowds at the Mecca of black music, Harlem's Apollo Theatre. In 1961, realising that the essence of his music could only be captured live, Brown personally financed the recording of an album at the theatre. The result, the mould-breaking James Brown Show Live at the Apollo, was a sensation. Establishing his reputation throughout the United States, it remains one of the most critically-acclaimed live albums ever recorded. His status was enhanced by a succession of worldwide hits like Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, I Got You (I Feel Good) and Get Up (I Feel Like Being a Sex Machine). Artistically, James Brown was breaking new ground with a whole new musical form, funk. Songs like Cold Sweat, where the brass section and guitars drove the rhythm, exemplified the stylistic change which Brown wrought. Success brought great wealth. James Brown owned radio stations, fast food restaurants and a private jet. He embraced "black capitalism" even before the phrase was coined, urging his fellow countrypeople to live the American Dream. He gave back, too, sponsoring food stamps for the poor and giving money and land to those in need, especially in Africa. Some radicals, though, criticised him for his patriotism and he received death threats after playing to US troops in Vietnam. Such was James Brown's influence that when Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968, the order went out to broadcast Brown's show in Boston live across the United States. Punctuated by his pleas for calm, the show helped to stem the tide of anger and Brown earned the personal thanks of President Lyndon Johnson. Living in America The 1970s were bad times for James Brown. His son Teddy died in a car accident, he himself was beset by tax problems and disco music threatened to eclipse his career. Sheer hard work on the club circuit brought him back from the brink. A cameo role as a singing preacher in the cult 1980 film The Blues Brothers brought his music to another generation. James Brown performing in 1999 Brown was still strutting in his sixties His song Living in America, a paean to the American Dream, was chosen as the theme music to Rocky IV and James Brown was among the first group of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But James Brown's capacity for self-destruction was a constant danger. In 1988 an incident with a shotgun led to a high-speed police chase and he spent two-and-a-half years in jail. His release coincided with a huge upswell in rap and hip-hop music, both of which borrowed freely from Brown's work. His role as a pivotal musical innovator was recognised as never before. Even with his faults, James Brown was an important role model to a whole generation of African Americans. Triumphing over poverty and racism, his outlook is best summed up by the title of one of his greatest hits - Say it Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud.

stargate

makerofhappytrees — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 12:27:29 GMT

From cosmicpath.com Stephanie's Daily Forecast: This is a very special day on planet Earth, because there is a cosmic trigger event taking place with a StarGate (or Cosmic Download)... This is a heart chakra event that is also taking place have been receiving pages andpages of data on the event. I will try to get most of it up in the next few days. Today I am incuding a piece of mail I received entitled the 1017 Mission Explained. It has what I believe is very relevant information that we have not seen yet about the phenomenon taking place today: Please don't ignore it. We Lightworkers are being called to action today. Finally there is something we can do to help speed things along. Dear Friends, I have received several emails about an upcoming Cosmic Light event and a dear friend of mine researched and compiled all the information she could find about the UV Beam coming to our planet on Tuesday,October 17, 2006. Whether it is "real" or not I am going to join in this moment of planetary opportunity to receive, give and spread more love and joy. I thought you would be interested and might want to send it on to other friends. Love, Virginia Mission 1017 Explained In the great game of creation you are a Way shower. In this position you are contracted by higher intelligences to manifest constituency. Way showers are to integrate one million followers into the space of the fifth dimensional awareness upon the Solar Alignment of Arcturus. The Arcturian Alignment is the first major move of the Way showers in the game to create the new world of the Fifth Sun. At this point of time and space Ultraviolet is the most powerful cosmic energy stream of the Galaxy. The highest intelligences of this Universe through our twin universe record that an Ultraviolet beam of energy will enter this planet through the Arcturian Doorway. At this Libra 24 point in alignment with Arcturus this stream will invoke a massive increase in fifth dimensional light transmission. The planet will experience and pass through a highly charged membrane of photons, which will expand, intensify and increase all thoughts, feelings and actions. Way showers are asked to seek to be in exact alignment and flowing with this stream in unity, harmony, balance and grounding is required to activate this increase in charge and to activate the collective hologram. The ultraviolet fluorescent blue magenta beam radiating from the galactic heart chakra of our twin universe clears the control patterns of old polarized beliefs. The high frequency energetic vibration streams out in spectral rays from the central universe’s heart chakra energetic new soul codes and programs as it enters the crystalline sacred geometries of the incarnated souls. In linear third dimensional time at geocentric 24 Libra gateway, the activation point, the Arcturians launch the transformation in universal realities. On the Solar Alignment with the Star Arcturus it is important for humanity to balance and clear its present world views, programs, points, morphogenetic fields and karmic agreements. Once this point passes the slow evolutionary controlled temporal spatial framework will be replaced with a new framework of intense rapid progression. The Arcturian guidance during this empowerment brings the immediate transformation to the new group of paradigms and provides inflow of innovative evolutionary resources for economic, political, social, religious, scientific and interpersonal realities. The galactic changes of this momentous manifestation of the Family of Light the Teachers of Light speak to you with a greater awareness of the coming changes. These changes will hit a crescendo through the third dimensional temporal spatial alignment of one million souls to trigger a fifth dimensional unification that will bring forth the transformation for this constituency fullness of power and creativity. This is the beginning of the flow for the next seven solar cycles. On the Arcturian Alignment the effect will be to amplify by one million times every thought and emotion of the Way showers. Every thought, every emotion, every intent, every will, no matter if it is good, bad, ill, positive, negative, will be amplified one million times in strength. We are moving into the Light of the Fifth Sun. The magnification of our collective will be accelerated a million times faster into manifestation. This beam of high ultraviolet light will create a new reality for the planet. The Black Alliance is unaware of this powerful beam which when it arrives will increase energies to such a high vibration so if there is misdirection the reality will shatter and disintegrate quickly into chaos. In awareness of this beam of Ultraviolet light which is being invoked by the Arcturians humanity needs to steward the energy through the power of one million Way showers who have focus and the ability to keep focus as this energy is included into the third dimension. Clearing blocks and linking with the one million is the crucial play of the game and upon the Arcturian Alignment the beam of violet will integrate the acceleration. Reality is a viewpoint and is dependent upon the perceiver. As a Way shower you are one who is multi-dimensional and can see and be part of many realities. The outer or objective empirical reality of the physical body’s senses is only a small part of your world. In your new reality of this Great Game of the Gold Ring a Way shower is one of a spiritual universe, which means that which is non-physical and exists in the invisible. In this vast realm you are the player who lives within the full light spectrum. Your realm as a Way shower is the Realm of light, the Fifth Dimension. From the Infrared to the Ultraviolet you are connected to the universe and all the stars, the Teachers of Light. Your eyes open up to the vast expanse through deeper connections within your nervous system, which are the flowering of your higher chakras. The two main realities a Way shower understands is the Individual and the Collective. The individual is yours alone and no other has the same set of core beliefs, which create your worldview and perceptions. In the collective reality we are one and in this shared belief system our connection is the world we live within and our society. In the collective reality we are moving to expanded awareness where the Way showers are connecting to the ultimate reality wherein the pure essence of self, the soul is allowing the connection to higher intelligences of the over soul and the spirit of universal cosmic consciousness. This engages the higher mind to empower the rational ego into direct manifestation of will towards physical creation. In moving through the dimensions and the densities Way showers are able to see the levels of creation and the layers upon layers. Densities are vibratory levels of light as it manifests. Dimensions are worlds within worlds. Way showers must know where they are in the game to know how to stay in alignment with the impulses of transformative energy being channeled into this system. The Teachers of Light are invoking the ceremony of ascension, which is bringing forth a new paradigm for the planet. The great move of the game in the Third Dimension is occurring on a cosmic time line. The cycles of transformation align through a macrocosmic microcosmic interaction. These cycles happen through universal agreement of the Teachers of Light and the Grand Universe. The timeline of the transformation is based upon the Grand Cycle of 225 million years, which is called Grand Precession. Day and Night result from the planetary spin on the axis. The Year results from the orbital motion around the Sun. The precession of the equinoxes is called the Grand Cycle of approximately 25,920 years and then the movement of the movement of this region of space around the central sun of the Milky Way Galaxy, which occurs every 225 Million years, and then around the Great Central Sun of the Universe, which occurs every 20 Billion years. These are all spirals in their movement. In this spiral progression into future timelines there are points at which the lower densities or dimensions of existence can be compressed by beings of higher intelligences able to operate at much higher vibratory rates. They can channel in messages that allow for collective changes in linear time. All time intersects in the eternal now and from this Now there are what can be termed horizontal and vertical times. The eternal now can be thought of as a vertical plane that intersects countless past, present and future probability lines of horizontal time. A soul is in full awareness of this eternal now this soul becomes free from singular identity in time and space. They become multidimensional and can move up and down through the horizontal timelines, experiencing past, present and future probabilities at will. In the vast expanse of time and space this universe has been limited by the universal controls. We are at the completion of a grand cycle, a 20 billion year trek through space, a progression, the transition or ascension is occurring so that we are becoming one again in the ocean of spirit. The influx of light that is providing for the evolution is the reenergizing of the network which installs and reconfigures all the programs to a higher level of activation. The Arcturian Alignment will gather this energy together and bring it into form. The game is ending with the completion of the circle, the Gold Ring. We are playing the final moves and there is the necessity to achieve the completion of the great gathering of the collective. The Way showers are the ones who are to play and build upon the eons of time and finish the game. I have also added another very important article to the ones already listed on the link below. Please go to the last entry, called Cosmic Rays, a Galactic Times edition from Philip Sedgwick. Philip's words speak to those of us who have a certain amount of skepticism about this event, but they validate it at the same time. I couldn't have said it better myself. Also, please note that the channeling printed above is not my own, it was send to me and the owner of it is not clear. Please Click here to view this information. All of these articles will be available to everyone today and then can be found in the member’s ezine for the rest of the month. As always, I welcome your comments. When we wake up each morning intent on making this day our happiest day ever, it is amazing how often the day molds itself to our intention. Happily ever after is not a fairy tale. It's a state of mind. Today's Numerology Report: By Julian Michael at JulianMichael.net October 17th 2006 = 10 + 17 + 8 = 35/8 Universal Day Embrace this 17th day of three “8’s and open up the portals of “Star Gate.” These “8’s hold amazing power and potential. Meditate a few minutes today and acknowledge the magnitude of you. You are unique, a gift and treasure. Enter these portals of infinity and expand your consciousness, open your heart and go out and elevate others and dance in the wisdom of the universe. In your 35/8: appreciate, be moved and support the global community and help it grow.

Damn my luck!!

makerofhappytrees — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 15:44:21 GMT

When I was 28, I made the transition from being an executive chef and caterer to film school in Toronto--film for me being a hybrid of my main three loves--photography, writing, and music/ audio. The film scene in Toronto is kind of dry lately--as our dollar rises, US productions are staying South, or going to Winnipeg to shoot because they offer better tax incentives--Pay attention Onterrible. I've resolved to not join any unions and sit around waiting for a call to work so I've been trying to create my own work, which is tricky enough as it is because, while I have received some very early praise in my new career of filmmaking, I am still very new in this career and I'm just not known yet, but I'm a stubborn scorpion and won't take no for an answer... To help make ends meet, I've taken a job at an organic market in High Park--weekends only, through until the end of October--GREAT--guaranteed weekly income until I fly South for the Winter... but yesterday I received an offer to Direct a video shoot (weekend festival) for some new friends in Oshawa (an hour East) who have a farm, forest, and a school adjacent to their land. It looks like these new friends will become the Toronto council within the Touch the Sun Network--and will allow the first Touch the Sun festival to happen on their land next Summer. I thought I would never turn down an opportunity to shoot a movie--especially when shooting a weekend festival involves all of my loves--especially music--but, as I only have $9 in my pocket after rent, working at the market will allow me to continue on into the future.

Seeds of Tolerance

makerofhappytrees — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 14:31:39 GMT

I am seeking a legal resident of the US to partner with me in order to enter this competition. Two years ago I made a short film with a group of Ri'fai Dervishes in Toronto, and I feel this film should be entered into this competition but, I AM CANADIAN, so therefore, not eligible (Odd considering two of the judges are from the land of igloos and backbacon). L'emme know... http://www.current.tv/make/sot/rules

Pluto Responds

makerofhappytrees — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 23:21:04 GMT

Micro Virgo Missive Presents: Pluto Responds -The Pluto Report Written by Caroline Casey The god of the Underworld, was amused by being called "Dead as a planet." “Of course I’m dead, I’m the god of the dead.” And used to being dissed, exiled, albeit at tremendous cost to cultures that do so. Of course human dementors would like to stick their fingers in their ears, and say, "no, no, no, we deny the invisible. We deny the dead, the invisible, the principle of power, the abuse of power known as plutocracy, now rampant.” Death is cheap, not valued, marketed wholesale, so that even the god of death is appalled. And if it’s invisible – we’ll ignore it, which is the essence of the ridiculous concept and reality of waste and garbage. (Pluto loves compost, decay in service to new life.) Let’s remember the astrologer’s witty quip: “there is absolutely no astrological evidence that science is anything but a primitive medieval superstition.” And also, the Groucho Marxist quip we like to use whenever possible, even when it doesn’t really fit: "I’ve had a lovely evening. This wasn’t it. But I’ve had a lovely evening.” (One can fill in the blank of “evening,” with so many other options, “democracy,” for instance.) From the sacred text of Terry Pratchett’s profound and funny* novel 'Thief of Time,' (*akin to the genius of reggae music which lies in its rhythmic art : the darker the lyrics – the jauntier the tune) even death recoils at humans undervaluing its enormity, the ending of so many unique experiments and miraculous stories. In contemplating humans up to no good in messing with time and death, the heroine says, about humans planning unspeakable harm to creation: “they wouldn’t be that stu…”. But then she stopped. “Of course someone would be that stupid. Some humans would do anything to see if it was possible to do it. If you put a large switch in some cave somewhere, with a sign on it, saying 'End-of-the World Switch. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH,' the paint wouldn’t even have time to dry.” It is the Katrina anniversary. As the Irish say, “God created the potato blight, but the British created the famine.” Well humans and their irreverent waste and burning of fossil fuels (more dissing the dead) create cataclysmic climate change, which creates the mega-storms, but then humans really created the ongoing disaster in New Orleans, due to callous indifference. Any country with a modicum of soul would pull all its resources from war (Iraq etc. and the ridiculous crusade to conquer more oil) and devote everything to alleviating the misery of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, spiraling on out to consider the true art of life – creative, compassionate, ingenious response in recognition of our kinship in this one large pulsing dream. Martin Prechtel reminds us, “for want of grief – we go to war.” We have allowed our grief to be kidnapped and taken hostage by plutocrats. Until now. No Scorpio (dedicated to the Underworld) city more honored the dead than New Orleans. And no Scorpio city currently less honors the dead than Washington D.C., as embodied in the obscene jocularity of a Donald Rumsfeld, as the corporate press corps rolls over and pees in the air as a token of its subservience. And whenever the public gets close to sniffing out the hidden truths, the dementors pull out a bit of distracting pornography – “Look over there, Jon Benet’s killer. Oops, no.” When we know there are people right in front of us, to whom we have surrendered our Saturn, our leadership, who are guilty of the murder of countless little girls (and boys and men and animals and oceans.) Let’s vow to be undistractable, aided by Neptune stationing at the unmasking degree. (“An ominous silence falls as the last man is unmasked at a masquerade ball.”) Here we go, heading into this season of revelation, with so much on the line, let us vow to be agents of revelation. Pluto and the Mythic News… February 26, 1993 – as a beautiful snow storm swirled outside, I pondered the Mythic News, how the gods were trying to help us out by staging things in such a succinct symbolic manner that even the most dunder-headed humans would notice, and heed. I noted that Pluto was stationing (apparent motion stops, the god beams down it’s literalized symbolism) that day, and that this god embodies the principle that whatever is suppressed becomes volatile and toxic due to its disrespectful suppression. One hour after the exact station, the news reported the 1st attempt to blow up the World Trade Towers from the Underworld parking garage. Whoowee…So literal. I told this story at a speech at Herbfest Iowa in late August of 2001, saying, well Pluto’s now stationing again. Let’s see what we’ve all learned. Pluto does station often in late August – early September. Last year, on September 1st, 2005, Pluto squared the U.S. Neptune, (where Neptune was when this country was born - representing) the soul of this country. And it was on that day that a British paper published the most apt cartoon, of the Statue of Liberty floating dead, face down in New Orleans, while disinterested troops with guns gazed dispassionately from an overhead bridge. Well Pluto is stationing NOW, exactly on Labor Day, September 4th at 7:20PM ET. So team of dedicated democracy-philes, sane and reverent people, let’s work with it. Pluto says, “planet, schplanet,” in the words of ally Steve Bhaerman, “Sure it works in practice, but does it work in theory?” The instructions of now, encourage us to be active agents of Pluto, composting death in every imaginative, visualizing, practical manner that synchronicity affords us, to suck the “g” out of “kingdom,” and exhale the energetic chi into the animating of the resulting “kindom.” Pluto would like us to collaborate in every way, sucking the energy out of any death-dealing up to no good irreverent violent plot, so that it is fully revealed, rendered harmless and collapses like a soufflé. As Vipassana meditation suggests, inhale the world’s grimy plutocracy, and exhale radiant beauty, now, forever, every day, together, for a few minutes, and especially this strange Labor Day weekend. Inhale death-dealing tyranny, exhale creative democracy. And Terry Pratchett adds: “When in doubt – choose to live!” *********************************************************************** Addendum: This Virgo season assigns us the task of cultivating Mercury as Hermes, the power of language, wedded to intention and ritual. Marie Laveau, the great Voodoo Queen of New Orleans was a Virgo, a great Medicine Woman and a collaborator with Pluto. When faced with against all odds tyranny, it is said that first she’d scrub her steps, then clean her house, set her altars, do her conjure dance, and then go kick butt and set the world to rights. As ally Michael Ventura wrote, “She did not create social movements, but a woman of her substance understood what was at stake. She saw a role to be played and played it to the hilt, helping to coalesce a scattered and oppressed people into a culture. It was a moment of cultural ecstasy.” And may it be so for each one of us. Marie is the Southern Bureau Chief of Coyote Network News, and is particularly available to guide us through the upcoming Lunar Eclipse, when the earth’s shadow is projected onto the Moon - more revelation - in two weeks on September 7th. The ensuing Solar Eclipse, pre-Equinox, of September 22nd, takes place at 29+ Virgo whose image is “An emergency call, a woman calmly cleaning the house in the midst of an earthquake.” That would be Marie, and the Marie in us. P.S. Terry Pratchett adds “Time was a resource. You could learn to let it move fast or slow, so that a monk could walk easily through a crowd and yet be moving so fast that no one could see him. Or he could stand still for a few seconds, and watch the Sun and Moon chase one another across a flickering sky. He could meditate for a day in a minute.” We can do a lot in a little.

weekend bliss

makerofhappytrees — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 18:01:57 GMT

A surprise camping trip brought me to a place called Bark Lake in Northern Ontario... I have never visited Bark Lake (in this lifetime) before but, I knew this lake. It felt like a homecoming and I began to see buildings manifesting around me--and I felt some of you, my friends and family, there with me, helping birth a home for Touch the Sun in this truly magickal place.

Angel Investor

makerofhappytrees — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 20:03:08 GMT

I just got some bad news--so I'm taking a shot here... I'm currently developing my first feature film to be shot over the first two weeks of November. We had funding locked down by a key person in the Canadian Film Industry (stop laughing) but I got a call this morning telling me that our backer has pulled out because he has too much on his plate and can't be involved at this time... What we are shooting is time sensitive as it is a mockumentary that revolves around a real event happening in Toronto in mid November and the mockumentary involves creating a character and inserting him into this sporting event to document his progress. Because we only have two months to develop this project, we do not have the proper time necessary to go through the proper funding channels so this is an open call for an angel investor for my feature film, The Way of a Tosser. The budget is an extremely low $50, 000 CAD. For more information, please message me or contact me at yourmonk@gmail.com

the Virgin Spring

makerofhappytrees — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 19:46:14 GMT

The 2006 Virgo New Moon The Virgo New Moon occurs on Wednesday, August 23 at 3:10pm EDT, 12:10pm PDT and 6:10pm GT 0 Virgo 31 By Anne Ortelee To my mind, the New Moon at 0:31 Virgo officially marks the place where we receive a profound understanding of the nature of our lives and Saturn in Leo‘s call to create our unique path. I know we’ve been working with Saturn, in one of his least favorite signs, since August of 2005. Additionally, Saturn was afflicted by quite a few planets all last year as he struggled to define and move toward what he loves and is passionate about, and to answer the pulsing calls of his creative drive and soul‘s hopes, dreams and wishes. Saturn’s not a showy kind of guy, but he’s found himself in a showy kind of sign ~ having to stand, VERY alone on the stage, under the spot light, defining what he wants to create while people throw rotten tomatoes at him, boo and hiss. It hasn’t been easy for poor old Saturn! Never overly confident ANYWAY as well as prone towards selecting the most negative interpretation or version of things, Saturn’s been getting his fear, anxiety and worry buttons pushed big time. Defining one’s dreams, hopes, desires and loves while NOT getting much positive feedback tends to create quite a bit of Self Doubt on those dark, scary, alone-with-your-heart-beat in the wee small hours of the mornings. On this New Moon, Saturn and your self-doubting, scary and alone bits shift to something much, more positive, in a negative kind of way. Gotta love the Universe with its perverse sense of humor! Why it sets it up like this is beyond me but it does seem to ~ negative leads to positive. Maybe it’s because we tend to notice the negatives first? So we can self-affirm our worst versions of our reality and thus create them? So we get so sick of our negatives that we start to crave a change and move towards our positives? So we learn that the world sucks and our choices are stupid and we’ll never amount to anything any way so why even try? Etc. etc. You know the negative version of your reality drills much better than I do. Pull out all your anxieties, each and every one of them, about your teeny tiny adequacies and enormous screaming inadequacies and lay them on the table. Every single one of them is hissing and booing as you look at them. Pretty nasty stuff eh? Cover them up with a soaking wet towel, go out and take your dog for a walk! On your dog walk, breathe. And Think. Mercury, ruler of the Virgo Moon and Sun is in Leo trine to Pluto in Sagittarius. Mercury rules Mars, Juno and Vesta too. Mars rules Jupiter in Scorpio. That’s a lot of Virgo energy flying around the heavens. Virgo is about figuring out how to do stuff ~ fabulously and perfectly thank you very much. Pluto in Sagittarius stations square to the karmic nodes of destiny over the next few weeks. The eclipse from last March 2006, when you got SO clear about SOMETHING regarding your path, is up and dancing around the room while you are walking your dog. That darn eclipse is flicking and snapping at your mass of insecurities with that soaking wet towel. Heck even the clump of your adequacies is now starting to gang up with your pile of inadequacies to call you names. It‘s okay. That is exactly how it is supposed to be now! Feels lousy right? So, on your dog walk, imagine that you and your Saturn are up there on the stage, under the spot light, alone. Stop for a second and listen. Some one is laughing! Your job is to be a stand up comedian in that crazy life of yours. Some one is laughing at Your Jokes! That is a GOOD thing! No, the whole audience isn’t laughing ~ they are talking and booing and hissing and throwing rotten tomatoes with your adequacies and inadequacies and the eclipse. But there IS a guy, over there on the left ~ he’s clearly drunk and groping a blonde in a low cut outfit ~ and he is laughing so hard he’s about to wet himself. He keeps pounding on the table and howling with laughter. And, after your miserable, terrible, very bad, not so good show in the spotlight with rotten tomatoes dripping off your nose, he’s going to come up to you and give you his first name and phone number on a soggy napkin. The drunken guy’s slurs in bourbon leavened breath, “You were great! Give me a call.” Now, you have a couple of choices. You can look at all the folks in the audience booing and hissing, believe them and retire from the Comedy stage as a wanna be star. You can go home, pour a beer and cry into it as you watch your TV alone with your dog. OR you can call the number on the soggy napkin from the drunken guy. His secretary will be cranky. Say Mr. Drunk told you to call and you are. The secretary grudgingly books an appointment for you. Show up for it. Early. Wear a nice outfit. Polish your shoes. Unbeknownst to you, that drunken guy is Jupiter. He’s going to help make you a star in your very own universe. You do have to do the work ~ MAKE THE PHONE CALL! And, then, show up for the appointment. Do your Saturn. Make the call. Essentially, your Saturn’s been getting clearer and clearer about what he wants and doesn’t want. He might not know exactly how to go about getting it, but he‘s crystal clear, in a foggy kind of drunken Neptune way, about what he wants. Jupiter was in the audience. Jupiter gave Saturn a soggy napkin with a runny cell phone number on it. Jupiter is going to work with your Saturn between now and the end of October to give you your big break! At the same time, Neptune is going to be fogging up Saturn and your vision. You are NOT able to see how or why or if or when or who or what or where or much of anything, frankly. Neptune’s the fog, baby! You have to take the leap of faith. Keep showing up. Keep doing your work. Keep shining your shoes. Be early for your appointments. Smile. Ask. Rehearse. Do your Saturn. Tell that little critical voice in your head to hush up and be quiet. Chant mantras to Ganesh and Saturn instead of picking on yourself so much. The New Moon chart has Neptune in Aquarius right opposite the Mercury/Saturn midpoint. Next week, Neptune and Saturn meet for the first of three oppositions through June 2007. Mercury is PAST both Neptune and Saturn so if YOU LOOK and LISTEN, you will see the solution to your conundrum in Mercury’s fire trine to Pluto in Sagittarius. You’ll hear or see the drunken guy in the corner laughing at your jokes. That drunk guy who is about to make you a star in your life. You have to call the number on the soggy napkin. YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR SATURN. Remember: 1) It is not going to be “easy” but it is not NEARLY as difficult or impossible as it looks right now! (Neptune is fogging up the works and making it very, very whoosh-y); 2) Whatever it is will require work and dedication on YOUR part (Saturn, Saturn, and more Saturn ~ did I mention Saturn?); 3) Move towards it with crystal clear intention, combine the desire of Jupiter in Scorpio and the passion of Pluto in Fire igniting your beliefs about your vision (Mars in Virgo ruling both Pluto and Jupiter in Scorpio!! Wee haw ~ the drunk guy is Jupiter who has connections and he‘s going to deliver! ~ He‘s a high functioning drunk guy!); 4) Replace your fearful words and thoughts (Saturn) with more positive affirmations of what you want and love to create (Leo) in your life to harness and ride that Mercury fire trine to Pluto. Venus is inconjunct to Uranus on the New Moon, making the things we value and our partnerships seem especially fragile or so open to hurting, painful criticism. Venus is very close to Saturn, after just squaring Jupiter. One of the things to keep in mind with aspects like these is to withhold critical, denying judgment from our selves and from others in our lives. Had you NOT called the drunken laughing guy with the soggy napkin, nothing would happen! Had you judged him and rejected him as a crazy drunk guy, the whole adventure would have not taken place. So often we ask ONE person, or rely on ONE “no” to determine our path, or use ONE set of feedback remarks to justify our choices or decisions. Or decide NOT to call the ONE person who can help us. Maybe it was the wrong person? Maybe the person saying NO was having a bad day? Maybe their feedback feeds back into YOUR insecurities ~ like that echo sound made when the mike is too close to whatever, creating a horrid sound to make you wince and cover your ears. You don’t throw out the speaker system! You don’t storm off stage. You adjust. You wiggle the mike. You tweak the dials. You move over bit. Adjust, adjust, adjust. Try, try, try again. The problem right now is the energy feels so NO! Please know that NO is an illusion! However it IS an illusion you are in the mood to believe! You have to push through NO. Maybe the person you asked for something was reflecting your insecurities and fears back at you? Maybe you can ask some one else? Maybe you can say, “Gee, that hurts. But, you know what? I am going to ask someone else! I am going to keep on asking until I get it because I know what I desire!” Recognize the part of you that you are putting out into the world is a part of you that YOU don’t believe in (very much) either. It is a part of you that goes “who am I to ….?” Who are you not to? Can you suspend that judging critical, voice inside you and follow your dream? Follow your heart’s calling. Just say yes, in a very teeny, tiny voice but do say yes. And do something to mobilize your Self towards it? Saturn is opposing Ceres suggesting our mothering energy feels blocked and held back. It is. We feel a bit like motherless children on this New Moon. Our challenge, when the energy of the world is so harsh and so NO, is to take care of ourselves first and our loved ones second. When they make the announcement about oxygen masks on airplanes, they always instruct parents to put their own mask on first before they put the masks on their children. You have to take care of yourself in the weeks ahead. You have to cheer lead your own dreams to succeed. You have to focus your energy on what you dream of accomplishing and creating. Just baby steps. You are teaching a new part of your being to stretch your wings into the sunlight. It is a part of you that doesn’t even KNOW you’ve somehow turned from a caterpillar into a butterfly. Flying? Who knows how to fly? Well, while you weren’t looking, you sprouted wings. Butterflies need wings to get to the nectar and pollen they eat. The flowers need butterflies. Caterpillars only need legs to crawl a bit up the stem to a juicy leaf for lunch. But butterflies have bigger jobs! They have to fly from flower to flower. If they had to climb up and down all those stems on teeny tiny caterpillar legs they’d never make it! Nature, in her infinite wisdom, gives butterflies wings. You’ve been growing your own set of wings over the past year. You may not be very good at using them (yet) but you have the wings! So look at the skill you need to develop (hint it is at either the Saturn/Neptune point of your chart OR the O Virgo point of the New Moon). Go build that skill. That is how you will learn to use your wings. And, that is yet another way to do your Saturn. The Marianne Williamson quote comes to mind: “We were born to make manifest the Glory of God within us. It is in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” I had a wise therapist who said when the fear arises, acknowledge it and ACT AS IF it isn’t there. The fear button you have will not go away or stop shrieking in your soul if you don’t act. You have to act past it over the next few months. Even if you don’t hear any one in the audience laughing except the drunk obnoxious guy. One drunk guy laughing plus you is a majority. Heck, you are the majority in YOUR life. What do you want to create? What do you have to learn to be able to use those new wings of yours? Turning to Lynda Hills’ interpretations of the Sabian Image for the New Moon at 0 Virgo, we find IN A PORTRAIT, THE BEST OF A MAN’S TRAITS AND CHARACTER ARE IDEALIZED Commentary: ‘In a Portrait, the Best of a Man’s Traits and Character are Idealized’ is an image of a person being shown, or portrayed, in a painting, drawing or photograph; with the good features exaggerated and the negative factors left out. This may be a positive thing, or it may miss the point of the true characteristics of the person. Our face is nature’s “name-tag”; it tells something about our personality, our temperament and race. Having features that make one stand out in the crowd can be a good or a negative thing, depending on one’s viewpoint or beliefs. Oracle: You may need to remind yourself of the true features of the situation before you. Is the “true picture” – the ‘Man’s Traits’- being presented here by allowing the true beauty to be seen? If so, someone is presenting him or herself, with integrity and distinction. However, we sometimes analyze others based on a superficial or ‘Idealized’ image we have of them. This can distort the truth. When we do this, we are often really just projecting our own thoughts, or desires, on to them. If someone is “good looking”, do we appraise them in a way different from others whom we think are not? If people have facial disfigurations, do we figure that they are somehow “lesser”? Be wary of just “judging a book by its cover”. However, it may be necessary to look for the best in a situation or person, and avoid the more undesirable factors. What lies within may be rather different from what’s apparent on the surface. Studying someone’s face, or how they look, for visual clues to who they are can lead to accurate conclusions, if you know how to look for the “right” things. Sometimes we make up stories or have fantasies about people so that we can justify thinking better or worse of them. What is the picture of the situation facing you? Do you feel that it is an honest representation of what’s going on, or is something being covered-up? Keywords: Projection of beauty. Drawings, paintings, photographs, etc. Art, cosmetics, beauty salons. Hairstyles. Elevated thoughts or memories. Taking someone at face value. Visual senses and clues. Recognition. Caricatures of people. Highlighting features. “Identikit” drawings. Visual prototypes. Profiles. Face reading. Written reviews and references. Viewpoints. The Caution: Not truly assessing people. Vanity. Superficial judgments. Propaganda. Misleading appearances. Tagging people with labels. Misidentifications. Taking someone the wrong way. Seeing only the best, or the worst. Preconceived beliefs. Feeling misunderstood. Prejudice. Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures. Henry Ward Beecher A man finds room in the few square inches of the face for the traits of all his ancestors, for the expression of all his history, and his wants. Ralph Waldo Emerson Did you ever see a portrait of a great man without perceiving strong traits of pain and anxiety? John Adams A man must be strong enough to mold the peculiarity of his imperfections into the perfection of his peculiarities. Walter Rathenua Nobody famous ever frowns on the cover of a magazine. Barbara Sher Throughout the centuries, man has considered himself beautiful. I rather suppose that man only believes in his own beauty out of pride; that he is not really beautiful and he suspects this himself; for why does he look on the face of his fellowman with such scorn? Isidore Ducasse Lautreamont Never idealize others. They will never live up to your expectations. Leo Buscaglia During the dark of our New Moon in Virgo, suspend judgment, criticism and picking on yourself. Look at how you can improve the process. I want you to be able to use that New Moon in Virgo to do the work. Drop those preconceived belief systems you have. Suspend the entire history of your life that seems to be screaming NO, NO, NO. Pat that little negative voice on its cute little head. Put on your oxygen mask. Give an oxygen mask to that tiny voice. Now you can’t hear it! If it screams, it will use up all its oxygen. Focus on what you want. Understand that your unique peculiarities are where your gifts lie. Know that the very thing you are so afraid of right now is exactly what you are supposed to be doing. Do your work. Copyright © 2006 Anne C. Ortelee *The excerpts from Lynda Hill's book The Sabian Symbols As An Oracle, the Special Edition, © Lynda Hill, 2002, have been reprinted by permission of the author. If you are interested in purchasing this amazing book, which is not readily available in the United States, please let me know.

Loose Change

makerofhappytrees — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 20:40:04 GMT

"As the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaches, Loose Change has become a magnet for those who have come to believe the worst about their government. Originally posted in April 2005 and already updated in a "second edition," the entire project cost about $6,000 to produce -- a sum that wouldn't cover a day's catering on the set of Oliver Stone's straightforward drama World Trade Center, which opens Wednesday." -Mark McGuire, Times Union The documentary you are about to see, Loose Change [2nd Edition], will prove that what happened on September 11, 2001 was no act done by nineteen hijackers affiliated with Al Qaeda, nor a plan implemented by Osama Bin Laden. Instead, the infamous event was a cold, calculated, and malicious attack on the American people carried out by a group of tyrants ready and willing to do whatever it takes to keep their strangled hold on this country; 9/11 was a self-inflicted wound. All that is asked of you when viewing this documentary is to watch it with an open mind--set aside your political beliefs for an hour and a half. Remember, this documentary is only an eye-opener; new evidence of the inside-job is revealed each and every day. Therefore, when you are finished with the video, please take the time and further investigate by pointing your browser to Universal Seed and the Loose Change Forums. So, what are you waiting for? See the documentary http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-5946593973848835726&q=Loose+Change www.loosechange911.com

Nomo

makerofhappytrees — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 20:19:24 GMT

Those who know me know I have a huge... love for afro-beat, afro-funk, bossa, samba soul, brazilian fusion--anything tribal fusion really. Last night I went to see a band that I'd heard much about but have never seen because they haven't come to Torontoland--before last night. I can't say this any more clearly--Nomo (from Ann Arbor, Michigan) are the shit. I've seen antibalas, tony allen, and even femi kuti and Nomo rocked my world harder than any one else has. They are the real deal.. Ladies and gentlemen... Nomo http://www.nomomusic.com/

Hippies in Southpark

makerofhappytrees — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 18:54:21 GMT

I just happened across this--it's pretty funny part one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dmv4uW-4qs&search=cartman%20hippies part two http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INa1Pqhqf6U&search=cartman%20hippies part three http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDva9HG441A&mode=related&search=cartman%20hippies

migration

makerofhappytrees — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 19:22:36 GMT

Last night I had a meeting to see if we could create a Toronto council for the Touch the Sun Network--and no one came. Is it technically a meeting if it's just me and my notebook? The one thing that would have made me stay in Toronto would have been the formation of a Toronto council and while I'm frustrated and disappointed, it means that I am free to leave Toronto and make my way to the Left Coast to create a council by the Bay. As of right now, I'm obligated to be in Toronto until mid November as I'm directing my first feature film but even this is subject to change because access to a real life event is in question and may be revoked. I'm inserting an actor into this event and the film is very much centered around it--and his interaction with the participants and audience of the event, so without it, I kind of don't have a film. To "fake" such an event would cost a fortune--besides, it would be contrived and wouldn't have the magick of our brilliant actor improvising and interacting with the real participants of the event. I may be out there sooner than later...

Sekhmet Comes

makerofhappytrees — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 18:49:33 GMT

from cosmicpath.com The Archangel Michael through Celia Fenn The 8:8:8 Stargate: THE FIRE GODDESS COMES Dearest Lightworkers, you have indeed reached a pivotal moment of Global choice in your current journey of Light. You can feel it, many can feel it, as the wars in the Middle East focus Global attention on the issues of war and peace. Indeed, these events occur in a powerful time for your Planet. The New Year begins, the Sirius Star Gate opens into the Harmonic of the 8:8:8 on the 8th of August and is followed by the energy of the Full Moon on the next day. The gate remains open until the 12th of August. Then, on the 13th of August, Venus transits into the fifth house of Leo, governed by the Sun and the element of Fire. The Fire Goddess Comes - the energy of the Solar Feminine floods the planet. The fiery energy of the Divine Feminine in her manifestation as Sekmet, the lioness, has been felt on the planet in recent weeks, but now, the Fire Goddess flames forth in the fiery and intense energy of Leo. She will transit through Leo in the month of August, following the path of the Sun and creating intense and fiery energy. On the 27th of August she will cross paths with Saturn at 14 degrees of Leo. This will be a pivotal date, for at that time her energy will be under pressure to transform and change as a result of the close conjunction with Saturn. At that point, dearest Lightworkers, the Planetary Collective will choose between continuing on the current path that will lead to continued destruction, or transmuting the energy into Global Peace and Harmony. Whatever seeds are planted at this time will grow and flourish in the next year. We cannot stress enough how important it is NOW to hold the vision of Global Peace. Pray for Peace, Meditate for Peace - create that miracle! Feel that Peace deep within yourself and your heart and believe in it totally and completely. Hold the Vision and the intention for the Highest Possible Outcome - Global Peace - starting in the Middle East. But we can also say to you now, that in the last few months you have struggled in your own lives, and you have felt tired and angry and lost and maybe even depressed, and you have said to us: "Where is the Joy that was promised in this journey of Ascension?". Well, we can reply to you now, dearest Lightworkers, that in your own personal lives you have been working with the energy of the Fire Goddess or Divine Solar Feminine to burn away and transmute all that is not Peace. And now you are ready to emerge into Peace and Joy, and to carry the radiant Divine Solar Feminine energy of Hathor, the Goddess of Beauty and Joy! And as you have worked in your own lives, so you have created an energetic template or model for the Collective Consciousness to make the same choice. So while we implore you to continue to hold the energy and intention of Global Peace, we can also say that much of the work has already been done by you. This is the culmination. Hold your energy and your intention and focus - and so you will create the Miracle that you seek on your planet now! The 8th and 9th of August: The 8:8:8 Harmonic and the Full Moon This will be a powerful period indeed. The 8:8:8 "harmonic" is a vortex of pure energy that holds a powerful archetypal imprint that is made available to all those on the planet. The archetype of the 8 is PERSONAL POWER - the essence of the I AM within each person. The conjunction of this Harmonic with the Lion's Gate Energy creates a powerful moment for Personal and Planetary empowerment. The 8:8:8 is also what we would call a "Time Gate" or "Time Lock". It allows you as individuals to access fully your Past and Future self in the Present Moment as you experience the entirety of your "I AM" presence. Wherever you will find yourself physically at that time will be a power point for you. It is an opportunity to consciously integrate all that you Are and hold the balance, for yourself and the planet as part of your Lightwork. The "Spirit" Lions that guard the portal of the Lion's Gate were known in ancient Egypt as the Lions of "Yesterday" and "Tomorrow". Enter in between the guardians of the Past and the Future, and fully claim your I AM power - NOW. This will give you great strength on your journey forward. Then, on the 9th of August, this energy will be amplified by the energies of the Full Moon. The rising Moon will be in Aquarius, with the setting Sun in Leo. The energy of Aquarius is governed by Uranus, that planet of sudden shifts and changes. You can harness that energy to accelerate the transformation for PEACE as humanity stands at the threshold of the Age of Aquarius, or the Golden Age of Peace. You are planting the seeds for the Coming Age in your work right now! The 13th of August: Sekmet Comes On the 13th of August Venus enters into Leo. Here the normally soft energy of the Goddess becomes Fiery and Passionate. Sekmet was the ancient Egyptian Goddess of Fire and Transformation. She was represented by a figure of a woman with the head of a Lioness. There is an ancient Egyptian archetypal story that tells how Ra (the Sun) sent Sekmet forth to cleanse the Earth, and how she caused much destruction until she was herself transformed and changed into Hathor, the Goddess of Higher Love and Beauty. And so, dearest ones, the challenge now within each one of you, and globally, is to transmute the Solar Fire from its lower expression of greed, power, and destruction into its higher expression of Love and Beauty and Harmony. And then you will experience the Joy that Hathor brings to the Planet. The 26th and 27th of August : Resonance and Reverberation The 26th will provide a Harmonic link back to the 8:8:8 energy, since the 26/8/2006 is also an 8:8:8. Whatever energies and issues arise either personally or globally at that time will be the issues that will be worked through in the next year, until you reach the 9:9:9 harmonic on the 9th and 27th of September in 2007. This will be the final clearing and closing of this cycle that began in 1999. But, more importantly, this will be another opportunity to fully embrace the power of the I AM within you as a Creator and Co-Creator of Global Peace and Harmony. Then on the 27th of August, Venus in Leo will transit Saturn in Leo. This will be the important moment of Transformation and an opportunity to Restructure old patterns of hostility and transmute them into Higher Octaves of Peace and Love. The Sun will have moved into Virgo on the 23rd of August, and the New Moon in Virgo, also on the 23rd, will allow you to GROUND your I AM power in order to create Global Peace and Harmony on the beloved Planet Earth. Personally, and as a Planet, you can choose to transmute the Solar Fire energy into Higher Love through Global Peace. Call on the Divine Feminine through Hathor, to allow her energy to be felt at this time. You are Human Angels, you are Christed Beings, you have worked for this moment. You are taking on your Mastery and becoming true Stewards of the planetary energy. You can make a difference! Call Forth Peace and Joy. And so - IT IS!

Sunday bloody Sunday

makerofhappytrees — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 20:20:50 GMT

http://thepartyparty.com/thepartyparty.com/Podcast/Podcast.html

Seeking Facilitators

makerofhappytrees — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 18:42:42 GMT

The Touch the Sun Network is seeking Facilitators. At present, there are 15 councils in the Network-each council representative of a city or region--and in some cases, some councils are not for a city or region and have no fixed location. We are seeking folks who either belong to a collective, or would like to form one to link their community to the others in the Network. Information on the Network is available in my profile. Contact me with any questions.

web-based multimedia designer needed

makerofhappytrees — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 19:03:12 GMT

I'm seeking a web-based interactive multimedia developer to aide in the creation of the Touch the Sun Network website--information on the network in my profile.

Touch the Sun Toronto

makerofhappytrees — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 20:32:01 GMT

This is an open call for anyone interested in helping to form a multi-disciplinary collective of artists, healers, and forward thinkers to act as the Toronto Council within the Touch the Sun Network. We will be meeting at Trinity Bellwoods before the next drum circle in the bowl at 7 pm on August 8. Hope to see you there.

lifepulse

makerofhappytrees — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 18:39:18 GMT

I've been researching a trilogy of documentaries over the last little while and came across some info regarding music. A key feature of this film I'm developing will be the score and will be as culturally and spiritually organic as can be done--and to do so I've found a Master Music Ethnocologist to help me out. The Earth resonates a C sharp (560 Hz) and most indiginous instruments are tuned to C sharp so as to play devotionally to/ with/ for our home. I don't understand the science by which this was figured out but it seems that the Earth also resonates a steady 91.5 bpm pulse. A healthy human heart also beats between 60 and 91.5 bpm. Translated into a measure for color vibrations, the color blue also resonates at 560 Hz, or 91. 5 bpm. Both our body and the planet are mostly made up of water, which is blue. Water--the lifepulse.

International Day of Action

makerofhappytrees — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 16:49:53 GMT

SATURDAY 12th AUGUST 2006 STOP ISRAEL’S BOMBING NOW There will be an International Day of action on Saturday 12th August when demonstrations will be held around the world. Mass rally & march in Toronto will start at 1.00 pm in front of the Israeli Consulate at 180 Bloor St. W., on the north side of Bloor, just west of Avenue Road. (Closest subway stop is Museum Station) The US/UK proposal to send international forces to southern Lebanon, on their conditions, will only escalate this war. Deploying more firepower that is clearly 100% on the side of Israel will not stop this violence but will worsen the conflict. The immediate need is for Israel to stop its attacks. For more information, visit: Toronto Coalition to Stop the War at www.nowar.ca

The Legend of Clipper Dos Santos

makerofhappytrees — Sat, 15 Jul 2006 16:32:11 GMT

Made for the Toronto 48 Hour Film Challenge Sound Recordist http://www.nicolasdoldinger.com/Nicolas%20Doldinger/Directing%20Credits.html

sweet soul soundz of the Congo

makerofhappytrees — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 21:28:03 GMT

When Bumba created the world, it sounded like this. http://www.crammed.be/konono/