Monday, July 22, 2013
Marin County California
Trying to stay current with the flood of pro-development activity locally in Marin and in California.
There is a nascent (just beginning) rebellion in the works.
The trouble is development has now got cloaked in Green so you have to really dig into things to
see what is real and what is pure BS or more kindly.. very misguided.
It's not easy because so many people want to keep it all lined up as everything is either
Left or Right. Good or Bad. Progressive or Reactionary. It seems safe for some to
view the world this way.
I am more critical and doubtful of much of anything touted as progress than some of you.
Particularly if it comes in the grand form of a Government Plan. I am all for government
of some sorts particularly if it was separated from the forces of the Rich. I would love to
see a government as proposed by the ancient Chinese where the confucian concept of wise
rule was to let the people govern themselves but still keep an eye on the scales in the
marketplace so the people could have some freedom from the cheaters.
Every development in California is supposed to have an Environmental Impact Report.
I wish their was a science of extinction or at least collapse for that is where we are going.
There is no science there just some people looking at the dots and not very happy as to what
is taking shape.
A Reply on the One Bay Area Plan
Jimmy Fishbob Geraghty · 15 mutual friends
Guy, you should have been there. The comparison of the pro plan group and the anti plan group was glaring. While everyone deserves to be heard, in the end the rational voice that presents in a civil manner, willing to actually offer realistic options, are the ones who will be listened to.
You are right in saying that there are legitimate concerns, but they get lost in all the John Birch Society fluff that gets tossed into the conversation. When good people start close associations with extremists right wing Koch funded groups you will be judged for the company you keep.
The Pro Plan bay Area side did their work, presented an alternative and had a seat at the table.
I hope you and the rest can learn from that.
Friday at 5:11pm · Like · 1..
Jimmy, If your belief that there was a glaring difference between the two sides is true and it was pro One Bay Area Plan than that is too bad we the opposition needed more good people there. Your version is a bit suspect for my observations of what we both witnessed in the past. Can you please post the link to your video of the hearing held at the civic center again I believe it was in May.
I was surprised back then that that you could witness this and only see right wing conspiracists when in fact there were so many cool calm voices. Someone organized a protest accusing those who spoke out in opposition to this plan as being racists yet when Robert Silvestri spoke at the Pickleweed Park Community Center he introduced himself as being to the left of Obama. Though maybe things have changed and finally the 'racist' right wing element that you have continually fought against is truly in control. I hope not and I doubt it.
Thank you for taking the time to do the video and putting it online. I think there are still many who could use an independent listen to the voices who came out and spoke in opposition.
You are correct in pointing out what voice gets listened to. The angry people who use verbal force or bullying tactics at the meeting in Marinwood serve only to undermine the validity of their argument. If the opposition to Plan Bay Area agrees with you that this is indeed a TParty operation against idiot Liberals, then I think they miss the boat and set themselves up for failure.
What the community who may be beginning to wake up needs to see that this is an issue that has powerful potential for our entire country for the good. That solutions that arise out of local communities wisdom work best. That real democracy needs to be renewed again and start with it’s roots not from the top. We tired, frustrated, angry, demoralized people who continually watch so much of the good, what we took for granted about our Country be eroded away will have to stand up.
Kostoyed Amourski commented in the string of comments seen in the MarinIJ and on Facebook which I think people need to see again. He quotes supervisor Kinsey.
"Voting 'no project' would not only be unlawful under state legislation, it would increase greenhouse gas impacts, sprawl and transit inefficiency," he wrote."
(Mr Amourski again.. ) Do you really think that there would've been a different outcome? Since a "no" vote was conveniently deemed an 'illegal" move, there was only the "lawful" "yes" choice to make.
So this was the democratic method. Wherein all our representatives. ( When did you elect someone to make these decisions?) You didn’t but duly elected to serve the People of Novato or San Rafael or Marin County or other localities our representatives then get appointed or appoint themselves to governmental bodies whose jurisdiction is much larger than their duly elected local responsibilities. Is this good? Does it serve the people?
Is this sound Democratic principals?
Jimmy Gerarghty tells me:
‘You are right in saying that there are legitimate concerns, but they get lost in all the John Birch Society fluff that gets tossed into the conversation. When good people start close associations with extremists right wing Koch funded groups you will be judged for the company you keep.’
I am proud to talk to good people of all persuasions. You say I am right 'that there are legitimate concerns' Jimmy you are a devoted force that makes sure 'the John Birch Society fluff' is always there to cloud the issues. I don't mind associating with a few yahoos, they are always present, maybe I could be seen as a yahoo myself. I don't want to associate with angry bullies however, of the left or the right.
According to the Marin IJ these people traveled to the final vote to voice their opposition. This is part of the company I keep:
Passengers included: Corte Madera Mayor Diane Furst, Larkspur Mayor Dan Hillmer, Sausalito Councilwoman Linda Pfeifer, former Fairfax mayor Frank Egger, supervisorial candidate Toni Shroyer and Randy Warren, who is running for a seat on the San Rafael City Council.
I may disagree or agree with any of these people as it may come to pass.
I find disturbing Jimmy’s warning, and of course it fits in well with the orderly world that the orthodox Left and the orthodox Right want to have be required to believe. Don’t support that group known Right Wing people support that philosophy. What if There was a Republican Federal Government and State Government. Would someone be warning us not to associate with known Liberals. Somewhere sometime people will have to learn to think for themselves.
Reiterating that Bullying tactics are not only counter-productive they speak to the lack of intelligence of the antagonists.
Our California, ‘the state’mandates growth. In the face of all the unique issues facing California that should cause us to have a higher degree of concern than most other parts of our Nation for sustainability aka .. survival, The state demands that local communities keep taking in more and more humanity. Fine humans, perhaps deserving of the California Dream but if the millions more that the State plans for and the greedy ‘bank’ on if they expand our communities, doubling our population how does that impact the existing community that exists. Does it threaten our well being and health?
Where is the water coming from that sustains us? How does it get to our faucets and baths? Will it be there to flush our toilets? What is the size of the next big Earthquake?
What happens to the people of California when our infrastructure is critically damaged?
Do people have the right to ask for prudence, conservation, caution? No, things are growing right now some ‘practical’ person might say, we must keep building. New people are arriving everyday. What happens in 2040 when California’s population is up around 40 or 50 million? Do we have the same argument as now? We must keep building because that is the way it is. When do we look at this issue and deal with it and stand for the existing community.
Guy, you should have been there. The comparison of the pro plan group and the anti plan group was glaring. While everyone deserves to be heard, in the end the rational voice that presents in a civil manner, willing to actually offer realistic options, are the ones who will be listened to.
You are right in saying that there are legitimate concerns, but they get lost in all the John Birch Society fluff that gets tossed into the conversation. When good people start close associations with extremists right wing Koch funded groups you will be judged for the company you keep.
The Pro Plan bay Area side did their work, presented an alternative and had a seat at the table.
I hope you and the rest can learn from that.
Friday at 5:11pm · Like · 1..
Jimmy, If your belief that there was a glaring difference between the two sides is true and it was pro One Bay Area Plan than that is too bad we the opposition needed more good people there. Your version is a bit suspect for my observations of what we both witnessed in the past. Can you please post the link to your video of the hearing held at the civic center again I believe it was in May.
I was surprised back then that that you could witness this and only see right wing conspiracists when in fact there were so many cool calm voices. Someone organized a protest accusing those who spoke out in opposition to this plan as being racists yet when Robert Silvestri spoke at the Pickleweed Park Community Center he introduced himself as being to the left of Obama. Though maybe things have changed and finally the 'racist' right wing element that you have continually fought against is truly in control. I hope not and I doubt it.
Thank you for taking the time to do the video and putting it online. I think there are still many who could use an independent listen to the voices who came out and spoke in opposition.
You are correct in pointing out what voice gets listened to. The angry people who use verbal force or bullying tactics at the meeting in Marinwood serve only to undermine the validity of their argument. If the opposition to Plan Bay Area agrees with you that this is indeed a TParty operation against idiot Liberals, then I think they miss the boat and set themselves up for failure.
What the community who may be beginning to wake up needs to see that this is an issue that has powerful potential for our entire country for the good. That solutions that arise out of local communities wisdom work best. That real democracy needs to be renewed again and start with it’s roots not from the top. We tired, frustrated, angry, demoralized people who continually watch so much of the good, what we took for granted about our Country be eroded away will have to stand up.
Kostoyed Amourski commented in the string of comments seen in the MarinIJ and on Facebook which I think people need to see again. He quotes supervisor Kinsey.
"Voting 'no project' would not only be unlawful under state legislation, it would increase greenhouse gas impacts, sprawl and transit inefficiency," he wrote."
(Mr Amourski again.. ) Do you really think that there would've been a different outcome? Since a "no" vote was conveniently deemed an 'illegal" move, there was only the "lawful" "yes" choice to make.
So this was the democratic method. Wherein all our representatives. ( When did you elect someone to make these decisions?) You didn’t but duly elected to serve the People of Novato or San Rafael or Marin County or other localities our representatives then get appointed or appoint themselves to governmental bodies whose jurisdiction is much larger than their duly elected local responsibilities. Is this good? Does it serve the people?
Is this sound Democratic principals?
Jimmy Gerarghty tells me:
‘You are right in saying that there are legitimate concerns, but they get lost in all the John Birch Society fluff that gets tossed into the conversation. When good people start close associations with extremists right wing Koch funded groups you will be judged for the company you keep.’
I am proud to talk to good people of all persuasions. You say I am right 'that there are legitimate concerns' Jimmy you are a devoted force that makes sure 'the John Birch Society fluff' is always there to cloud the issues. I don't mind associating with a few yahoos, they are always present, maybe I could be seen as a yahoo myself. I don't want to associate with angry bullies however, of the left or the right.
According to the Marin IJ these people traveled to the final vote to voice their opposition. This is part of the company I keep:
Passengers included: Corte Madera Mayor Diane Furst, Larkspur Mayor Dan Hillmer, Sausalito Councilwoman Linda Pfeifer, former Fairfax mayor Frank Egger, supervisorial candidate Toni Shroyer and Randy Warren, who is running for a seat on the San Rafael City Council.
I may disagree or agree with any of these people as it may come to pass.
I find disturbing Jimmy’s warning, and of course it fits in well with the orderly world that the orthodox Left and the orthodox Right want to have be required to believe. Don’t support that group known Right Wing people support that philosophy. What if There was a Republican Federal Government and State Government. Would someone be warning us not to associate with known Liberals. Somewhere sometime people will have to learn to think for themselves.
Reiterating that Bullying tactics are not only counter-productive they speak to the lack of intelligence of the antagonists.
Our California, ‘the state’mandates growth. In the face of all the unique issues facing California that should cause us to have a higher degree of concern than most other parts of our Nation for sustainability aka .. survival, The state demands that local communities keep taking in more and more humanity. Fine humans, perhaps deserving of the California Dream but if the millions more that the State plans for and the greedy ‘bank’ on if they expand our communities, doubling our population how does that impact the existing community that exists. Does it threaten our well being and health?
Where is the water coming from that sustains us? How does it get to our faucets and baths? Will it be there to flush our toilets? What is the size of the next big Earthquake?
What happens to the people of California when our infrastructure is critically damaged?
Do people have the right to ask for prudence, conservation, caution? No, things are growing right now some ‘practical’ person might say, we must keep building. New people are arriving everyday. What happens in 2040 when California’s population is up around 40 or 50 million? Do we have the same argument as now? We must keep building because that is the way it is. When do we look at this issue and deal with it and stand for the existing community.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Sunday Beautiful Sunday...
So... what is the power of communication? It's great to have a great talk with someone you love on the phone right or in person? Sure it is.
I really want to talk more with this here community in Marin on a regular basis. This is my world.. of course I know everything is out of control in our world and like I posted a year or two ago about 'the momentum of blindness' it's kind of daunting and I totally respect anyone for being of the nature of just avoiding eye contact with the insanity and try to just hang in there in a peaceful manner and ride out the changes coming up on us.
I was just speaking with Carol on 4th Street earlier today, she was saying that thank God our generation got that Hippie stuff in our brains when we were young so we have something to hold on too, some sense of being part of something cool and big and unstoppable, illusion that it may be still connected to the greater Flame and a Flame that is undeniable and is the source of Life itself.. you fill in the rest. It's Sunday. It's a day of rest.
Like Willie Nelson says in his cool little auto-bio 'Fortunately it's out of my control.'
Cheers,
Guy
PS Yes I got a video camera out a week ago last Friday to vent my pent... vent my pent? yes vent my pent-up feelings. feeling useless as beautiful Marin County keeps going down the drain...
$249 Million that's how much the residents voted to give to the College of Marin in 2004 on a simple bond issue to improve the campus. I went down to take pictures and pay my respects to the old taqueria
at College Avenue and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Kentfield that will see the wrecking ball soon and the new administration building will go up. I don't think the generous people of Marin knew what they were approving..
194 Tamal Vista Corte Madera 180 Apartment Units and commercial beneath located at likely the most congested traffic location in Marin. Smart Growth woohoo! Rake in the big bucks..
I really want to talk more with this here community in Marin on a regular basis. This is my world.. of course I know everything is out of control in our world and like I posted a year or two ago about 'the momentum of blindness' it's kind of daunting and I totally respect anyone for being of the nature of just avoiding eye contact with the insanity and try to just hang in there in a peaceful manner and ride out the changes coming up on us.
I was just speaking with Carol on 4th Street earlier today, she was saying that thank God our generation got that Hippie stuff in our brains when we were young so we have something to hold on too, some sense of being part of something cool and big and unstoppable, illusion that it may be still connected to the greater Flame and a Flame that is undeniable and is the source of Life itself.. you fill in the rest. It's Sunday. It's a day of rest.
Like Willie Nelson says in his cool little auto-bio 'Fortunately it's out of my control.'
Cheers,
Guy
PS Yes I got a video camera out a week ago last Friday to vent my pent... vent my pent? yes vent my pent-up feelings. feeling useless as beautiful Marin County keeps going down the drain...
$249 Million that's how much the residents voted to give to the College of Marin in 2004 on a simple bond issue to improve the campus. I went down to take pictures and pay my respects to the old taqueria
at College Avenue and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Kentfield that will see the wrecking ball soon and the new administration building will go up. I don't think the generous people of Marin knew what they were approving..
194 Tamal Vista Corte Madera 180 Apartment Units and commercial beneath located at likely the most congested traffic location in Marin. Smart Growth woohoo! Rake in the big bucks..
URBAN/SMART GROWTH: THE OPPORTUNITY
MacFarlane Partners looks to capitalize on the burgeoning smart-growth movement and other socioeconomic trends that favor higher-density, urban-style living over decentralized sprawl. Our investments are concentrated in “Global Pathway Cities” — leading U.S. metro areas with dynamic economies, favorable demographics, strong real estate fundamentals and vibrant cultures.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Treasurer Lew, Cal State Parks, LA
The new treasurer a fine fellow indeed. It will be fun to see if he has indeed changed his signature for when he puts his signature on American currency if you missed the earlier story.. he signs his name in theillegible style he just has a series of loops or what appears to be zeroes. Perfect.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/26/business/economy/treasury-nominee-works-to-address-concerns.html?hpw&_r=0
In Sacramento more on the bizarre story of California State Parks which may be how all the state departments are run. I wonder how much CalTrans has squirrelled away?
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/02/15/5192590/california-state-parks-had-hidden.html
I thought this was a pretty interesting and scary is not the right word for the Angels of Los Angeles... do you really think that somehow our NorCal Politicians show more intelligence or leadership?
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/02/15/5192633/dan-walters-politics-make-los.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/26/business/economy/treasury-nominee-works-to-address-concerns.html?hpw&_r=0
In Sacramento more on the bizarre story of California State Parks which may be how all the state departments are run. I wonder how much CalTrans has squirrelled away?
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/02/15/5192590/california-state-parks-had-hidden.html
I thought this was a pretty interesting and scary is not the right word for the Angels of Los Angeles... do you really think that somehow our NorCal Politicians show more intelligence or leadership?
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/02/15/5192633/dan-walters-politics-make-los.html
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The State of California
California's Governor Jerry Brown gave his state of the state address a week ago. I managed to listen to most of it while driving taxi. Jerry is the hero now... the California Budget went from a 6 Billion deficit to a 16 Billion deficit to a balanced budget in about two years. Wow!
His speech was full of great concepts and ideas for the proper moral developement of children through education to common sense approaches to law where he sounded almost T Partyish, enough with the bills
legislators why do we have thousands of new laws every year. Jerry is on top of his game and the great state of California will only continue to get better.
Skunk Cabbage! (That phrase was just 'channeled' like his plan to improve the ecology of the Delta by building tunnels under the Delta to ship water to Southern California from the North)
Where does one start looking at the dots and connect them creating .. revealing sadly the same old story corruption and bankruptcy.
From a state where Schwarzenegger rode in to save us, with the support of So California Real estate developers... let's go even deeper into .. a deep rose colored hole.
... California faces a crisis in quality of Life and if we face it squarely we can do the whole planet a favor. More people more growth is not the answer. More water pumped to Southern California is not a solution in sustainability. They claim only 16 Billion for that project. Why not give the younger generations of Californians the gift of a less crowded world. We need to end the model of California developers massive 'villages' 'communities' dumped everywhere. Destroying the quality of life, suffocating us in too much humanity who rather than bringing more money, bring more issues... sewage crisis, water crisis, food crisis. Am I over reacting. Maybe. What happens when California's Katrina comes along? Why not take care of our existing community rather than building the great Ponzi scheme of infinite growth to even more perilous heights.
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/01/26/5142201/jerry-browns-water-plan-faces.html
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/01/13/5111910/californias-debt-still-a-heavy.html
Then there is this adventurous High Speed rail plan that Jerry is so thrilled with. Somehow they have got the cost down to only $57 Billion of which California has $12 Billion covered enough to begin thanks to the Federal Government (which owes15 Trillion to somebody) generously giving away your tax dollars. Wake up California! What's behind the dream here? I am not sure but my hunch there is huge money betting on huge developements out there in the 'wastelands' of Bakersfield... shuttle them in and out of LA. Cha Ching!! We can borrow the money like we have been so successful at borrowing over the past few years.. see that article referenced above about California's debt. Where do you borrow money from?
Cha Ching China!! Let's go to China.
http://www.sfgate.com/business/bottomline/article/Jerry-Brown-to-tout-state-on-China-visit-4222198.php
Hey there is nothing wrong with having strong ties with China. But what are we selling off to ' borrow' money from 'the state-owned' Banks of China. Isn't our problem 'debt' in California. Isn't that the USA's problem... When do we ever stop? According to Amtraks available online information regarding their prettty strong locomotives, they can easily reach 100 mph (120 mph is top) if the tracks are maintained. A hundred mile an hour train can get from downtown SF to downtown LA in .. what 4hours? That's pretty good. That's a nice ride, with beautiful California passing in front of your eyes. Or maybe you want 200 miles an hour with a blur of massive housing developements throughout the central valley.
You can't stop progress Guy.
I don't buy that it's progress. Who is going to fill those massive developements, who gets to build this railroad...? Just questions I don't have the answers. But the people who we borrow the money from are going to have quite a bit of leverage you would guess.
Speaking of California's state of the state how do you define Corruption?
State Parks/ Cal Fire
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/01/24/5139400/prosecutor-rejects-calif-ags-parks.html
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/01/26/5142092/cal-fire-kept-36-million-from.html?storylink=lingospot_related_articles
The SF CHronicle had a story I can't find that was a headline during the Schwarzenneger years.. 250 California government workers make $250,000 or more per year..
His speech was full of great concepts and ideas for the proper moral developement of children through education to common sense approaches to law where he sounded almost T Partyish, enough with the bills
legislators why do we have thousands of new laws every year. Jerry is on top of his game and the great state of California will only continue to get better.
Skunk Cabbage! (That phrase was just 'channeled' like his plan to improve the ecology of the Delta by building tunnels under the Delta to ship water to Southern California from the North)
Where does one start looking at the dots and connect them creating .. revealing sadly the same old story corruption and bankruptcy.
From a state where Schwarzenegger rode in to save us, with the support of So California Real estate developers... let's go even deeper into .. a deep rose colored hole.
... California faces a crisis in quality of Life and if we face it squarely we can do the whole planet a favor. More people more growth is not the answer. More water pumped to Southern California is not a solution in sustainability. They claim only 16 Billion for that project. Why not give the younger generations of Californians the gift of a less crowded world. We need to end the model of California developers massive 'villages' 'communities' dumped everywhere. Destroying the quality of life, suffocating us in too much humanity who rather than bringing more money, bring more issues... sewage crisis, water crisis, food crisis. Am I over reacting. Maybe. What happens when California's Katrina comes along? Why not take care of our existing community rather than building the great Ponzi scheme of infinite growth to even more perilous heights.
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/01/26/5142201/jerry-browns-water-plan-faces.html
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/01/13/5111910/californias-debt-still-a-heavy.html
Then there is this adventurous High Speed rail plan that Jerry is so thrilled with. Somehow they have got the cost down to only $57 Billion of which California has $12 Billion covered enough to begin thanks to the Federal Government (which owes15 Trillion to somebody) generously giving away your tax dollars. Wake up California! What's behind the dream here? I am not sure but my hunch there is huge money betting on huge developements out there in the 'wastelands' of Bakersfield... shuttle them in and out of LA. Cha Ching!! We can borrow the money like we have been so successful at borrowing over the past few years.. see that article referenced above about California's debt. Where do you borrow money from?
Cha Ching China!! Let's go to China.
http://www.sfgate.com/business/bottomline/article/Jerry-Brown-to-tout-state-on-China-visit-4222198.php
Hey there is nothing wrong with having strong ties with China. But what are we selling off to ' borrow' money from 'the state-owned' Banks of China. Isn't our problem 'debt' in California. Isn't that the USA's problem... When do we ever stop? According to Amtraks available online information regarding their prettty strong locomotives, they can easily reach 100 mph (120 mph is top) if the tracks are maintained. A hundred mile an hour train can get from downtown SF to downtown LA in .. what 4hours? That's pretty good. That's a nice ride, with beautiful California passing in front of your eyes. Or maybe you want 200 miles an hour with a blur of massive housing developements throughout the central valley.
You can't stop progress Guy.
I don't buy that it's progress. Who is going to fill those massive developements, who gets to build this railroad...? Just questions I don't have the answers. But the people who we borrow the money from are going to have quite a bit of leverage you would guess.
Speaking of California's state of the state how do you define Corruption?
State Parks/ Cal Fire
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/01/24/5139400/prosecutor-rejects-calif-ags-parks.html
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/01/26/5142092/cal-fire-kept-36-million-from.html?storylink=lingospot_related_articles
The SF CHronicle had a story I can't find that was a headline during the Schwarzenneger years.. 250 California government workers make $250,000 or more per year..
Saturday, January 12, 2013
The Last Night in British Columbia
I am in the great library in downtown Portland, Oregon.
Satya and Odell summer 1959
It was already two nights ago on the third and final night of my stay with my older Half-Sister,
Satya and her husband John. This would be the night that Satya would join John and I in a music jam.
Satya on Accordion, John on Mandolin and me on guitar, where I was able. After a tune I asked Satya if she could remember the songs that she and Odell, played for us in the summer of 1959 when one very cool Road Trip reached it's destination with a week visit to her 'real Dad' and his family where we lived in the small village of Round Pond, Maine.
'Of course I remember those tunes.' she told me. We proceeded through a long set list, with various degrees of musical success but definitely with great fun..
Here is a partial set list of what you would have heard in Satya's music room in Surrey BC in 2013 and what you also would have heard in the Meyer living room in Maine on a certainday/evening in the summer of 1959.
Bye Bye Love
How Much Is That Doggie in the Window
Fraulein
Heartaches by the Number
Jambalaya
The Irish Washerwoman
Que Sera'
Here is a little more of the story of their trip. Satya and Odell were 17 and 16 years old, Satya had just graduated High School. She (They) bought a brand new Renault automobile with the engine in the back, she says Renault and VW were competing for business so they were offering pretty good deals. They traded their 10 year old car in as the $75.00 downpayment and off they went.
They had written all kinds of relatives across the country telling of their impending trip, and usually she says they would be sleeping in the car (Satya on the back seat, Odell on the front) every other night and they had enough relatives across the country that they would be put up somewhere with family the next night, they came across the Rockies and across the country when most of the interstate system had not been built. They stopped at their (and mine) Uncle Normie's and Uncle Andy's place first in Massachussetts before finally making it up to Maine. They showed slides with the projector that they brought with them. They brought their accordion and guitar. They stayed with us for a week.
She tells me relatives sent them a little money before the trip began. She tells me my Dad sent $25.00
which I was glad to hear, sounds like real big money though, for a family that didn't have too much.
I can somehow remember the trip out to Loud's Island. I remember the music (kind of). Not much more. I must have been a bit in awe of the whole moment of time.. still am.
10,000 mile round trip total cost $95.00
Am running out of time here at the computer, now a day later, at the Woodstock, Oregon Library... story to continue
.......
Odell was at 16, already a pretty good mechanic. She says she remembers driving through NYC on the return trip with the engine 'sputtering' as she says. Odell had the car back to running well the next day. She created a 2 hour DVD with slides and photos from their entire journey. She tells me they even have a musical soundtrack. I never got to hear it, we just didn't have the time.. maybe next time.
I wish I still had a digital camera and had made some recordings like I used to do... Course there was always the issue if I could ever get around to do anything near as together as Satya's DVD.
Satya and Odell summer 1959
It was already two nights ago on the third and final night of my stay with my older Half-Sister,
Satya and her husband John. This would be the night that Satya would join John and I in a music jam.
Satya on Accordion, John on Mandolin and me on guitar, where I was able. After a tune I asked Satya if she could remember the songs that she and Odell, played for us in the summer of 1959 when one very cool Road Trip reached it's destination with a week visit to her 'real Dad' and his family where we lived in the small village of Round Pond, Maine.
'Of course I remember those tunes.' she told me. We proceeded through a long set list, with various degrees of musical success but definitely with great fun..
Here is a partial set list of what you would have heard in Satya's music room in Surrey BC in 2013 and what you also would have heard in the Meyer living room in Maine on a certainday/evening in the summer of 1959.
Bye Bye Love
How Much Is That Doggie in the Window
Fraulein
Heartaches by the Number
Jambalaya
The Irish Washerwoman
Que Sera'
Here is a little more of the story of their trip. Satya and Odell were 17 and 16 years old, Satya had just graduated High School. She (They) bought a brand new Renault automobile with the engine in the back, she says Renault and VW were competing for business so they were offering pretty good deals. They traded their 10 year old car in as the $75.00 downpayment and off they went.
They had written all kinds of relatives across the country telling of their impending trip, and usually she says they would be sleeping in the car (Satya on the back seat, Odell on the front) every other night and they had enough relatives across the country that they would be put up somewhere with family the next night, they came across the Rockies and across the country when most of the interstate system had not been built. They stopped at their (and mine) Uncle Normie's and Uncle Andy's place first in Massachussetts before finally making it up to Maine. They showed slides with the projector that they brought with them. They brought their accordion and guitar. They stayed with us for a week.
She tells me relatives sent them a little money before the trip began. She tells me my Dad sent $25.00
which I was glad to hear, sounds like real big money though, for a family that didn't have too much.
I can somehow remember the trip out to Loud's Island. I remember the music (kind of). Not much more. I must have been a bit in awe of the whole moment of time.. still am.
10,000 mile round trip total cost $95.00
Am running out of time here at the computer, now a day later, at the Woodstock, Oregon Library... story to continue
.......
Odell was at 16, already a pretty good mechanic. She says she remembers driving through NYC on the return trip with the engine 'sputtering' as she says. Odell had the car back to running well the next day. She created a 2 hour DVD with slides and photos from their entire journey. She tells me they even have a musical soundtrack. I never got to hear it, we just didn't have the time.. maybe next time.
I wish I still had a digital camera and had made some recordings like I used to do... Course there was always the issue if I could ever get around to do anything near as together as Satya's DVD.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
'Psycho' Bell Ringer/Civilization Reset
After two days what can I say?
My computer is bad for my health. That is why I am never being responsive lately.. maybe I am/was always poor at response. Driving cars is bad for my health that's why I do it for 10-12 hours a day
scratching out a living. Actually I drive as little as possible but now when I want more than anything to be in Oregon with my sister and family now I am driving every day desperately trying to have some money in my pocket, but I may not be able to escape. It's all right.
For a year or two I've been watching this Mayan date with destiny approach. A couple of weeks ago I posted I wish people (look in the mirror Guy) would take it seriously 'Judgement Day' now it seems all of us got our bell rung. I pray to God that there is not another eruption coming before the 21st. The day before the Connecticut horror, there was a show on the Bay Area radio station KPFA, that old lefty Public Supported radio station. A couple of Mayan scholars were chatting about this Calendrical event and it was fascinating and a little inspiring. The basics were that there was no prediction from the Mayans as to what to expect next Friday but this event happened before when the last Bhaktun the 13th
was inaugurated, back somewhere 3,000 some odd years BC and supposedly there were a couple of ancient Vases from the Mayans that commemorated depicted this event in the past when either 7 or 11 Gods revisited the Earth and the message depicted these scholars agreed was somehow that they 'reset civilization' back on course after it had strayed. Don't think for a minute that the (Aztec) Civilization that the Spanish Europeans encountered was somehow anything to be respected or admired as if connected with some greater harmonic course. I don't blame the Spanish for taking their cannon to the great city and blasting it to smithereens. If you don't know you can dig for some information on what the state of that Civilization was... but enough digression.
Or maybe just a little more. I was listening to Sports Radio on KNBR that morning as the news broke. I really appreciate Gary Radnich and Krueger for their letting their show go in the only direction it could that morning. Heart to heart nothing more about BS spoiled millionaires chasing bouncing balls. Anyhow.. as the day faded into night ... my last fare took me into the town of Fairfax. That in itself was a story. As i write someone is screaming insanely in the city parking lot in San Rafael, wailing now, I guess I'll open my window and try to... 'Where am I supposed to go!' a female voice wails in an urban homeless domestic dispute echoing through the 4 story parking edifice, that is part of landscape. Do I get involved? No.
'Urban Pscychosis' How come neither Presidential contender could mention Homelessness as an illness reflecting the rot at our core? How come? I guess that is a dumb question. Because neither one dares address the rot at our core. I am trying to give President Obama fresh slack for his new term.
So this morning waking up and feeling deep guilt for all of my sins of existence, for whatever reason, resign myself to drive again another day. I refrain from even turning the radio on, no music, no news, nothing, until finally I brake down and end up right to the core going to PBS radio and listening two the interview with the rabbi who held in his ..... so skipping ahead right back into the heart of emotion I went. To the depths maybe to appease the guilt from they night before wherein I had shared such happiness at the Sleeping Lady Cafe with friends and new friends, despite the national trauma, and we were loud and happy. It's all my fault.
Tonight after an exhausting day i finally take in a Movie it's been 6 months and maybe I'll see Lincoln, because it's a big movie and maybe it will benefit me, but instead I see 'Hitchcock'
My computer is bad for my health. That is why I am never being responsive lately.. maybe I am/was always poor at response. Driving cars is bad for my health that's why I do it for 10-12 hours a day
scratching out a living. Actually I drive as little as possible but now when I want more than anything to be in Oregon with my sister and family now I am driving every day desperately trying to have some money in my pocket, but I may not be able to escape. It's all right.
For a year or two I've been watching this Mayan date with destiny approach. A couple of weeks ago I posted I wish people (look in the mirror Guy) would take it seriously 'Judgement Day' now it seems all of us got our bell rung. I pray to God that there is not another eruption coming before the 21st. The day before the Connecticut horror, there was a show on the Bay Area radio station KPFA, that old lefty Public Supported radio station. A couple of Mayan scholars were chatting about this Calendrical event and it was fascinating and a little inspiring. The basics were that there was no prediction from the Mayans as to what to expect next Friday but this event happened before when the last Bhaktun the 13th
was inaugurated, back somewhere 3,000 some odd years BC and supposedly there were a couple of ancient Vases from the Mayans that commemorated depicted this event in the past when either 7 or 11 Gods revisited the Earth and the message depicted these scholars agreed was somehow that they 'reset civilization' back on course after it had strayed. Don't think for a minute that the (Aztec) Civilization that the Spanish Europeans encountered was somehow anything to be respected or admired as if connected with some greater harmonic course. I don't blame the Spanish for taking their cannon to the great city and blasting it to smithereens. If you don't know you can dig for some information on what the state of that Civilization was... but enough digression.
Or maybe just a little more. I was listening to Sports Radio on KNBR that morning as the news broke. I really appreciate Gary Radnich and Krueger for their letting their show go in the only direction it could that morning. Heart to heart nothing more about BS spoiled millionaires chasing bouncing balls. Anyhow.. as the day faded into night ... my last fare took me into the town of Fairfax. That in itself was a story. As i write someone is screaming insanely in the city parking lot in San Rafael, wailing now, I guess I'll open my window and try to... 'Where am I supposed to go!' a female voice wails in an urban homeless domestic dispute echoing through the 4 story parking edifice, that is part of landscape. Do I get involved? No.
'Urban Pscychosis' How come neither Presidential contender could mention Homelessness as an illness reflecting the rot at our core? How come? I guess that is a dumb question. Because neither one dares address the rot at our core. I am trying to give President Obama fresh slack for his new term.
So this morning waking up and feeling deep guilt for all of my sins of existence, for whatever reason, resign myself to drive again another day. I refrain from even turning the radio on, no music, no news, nothing, until finally I brake down and end up right to the core going to PBS radio and listening two the interview with the rabbi who held in his ..... so skipping ahead right back into the heart of emotion I went. To the depths maybe to appease the guilt from they night before wherein I had shared such happiness at the Sleeping Lady Cafe with friends and new friends, despite the national trauma, and we were loud and happy. It's all my fault.
Tonight after an exhausting day i finally take in a Movie it's been 6 months and maybe I'll see Lincoln, because it's a big movie and maybe it will benefit me, but instead I see 'Hitchcock'
New Year's Eve in Eugene
Can't even communicate these days. In Eugene with the mystery of Life plus health issues, and car issues and money issues. Sheeesh Guy when are you ever get anything together?
Saw 'the Hobbit' last night... too bad Peter Jackson feels the need to conform with the modern action movie format.
Maybe my car will make it back to Marin on it's bad transmission, or maybe I will make it back the 10 mile drive to sister's farmstead tonight. Phewww!! Maybe Maybe Maybe...
I need some healing. Peace and Goodwill to all the People, may the Red White and Blue wake up to discover that those colors are the color of a Peace Symbol.
Saw 'the Hobbit' last night... too bad Peter Jackson feels the need to conform with the modern action movie format.
Maybe my car will make it back to Marin on it's bad transmission, or maybe I will make it back the 10 mile drive to sister's farmstead tonight. Phewww!! Maybe Maybe Maybe...
I need some healing. Peace and Goodwill to all the People, may the Red White and Blue wake up to discover that those colors are the color of a Peace Symbol.
'on the trail'
Sitting up here in Surrey BC way the heck up here. (Actually just across the border.) John and Satya's home is one of the most beautiful simple suburban homes, that I have ever been in. Centered around a music room, with a living room adjacent with a nice wood stove in the middle and surrounded by windows that look out to Satya's gardens that occupy all sides. Satya's gardens are in what I would describe as the effusive joy of greenery and flowery. 'and this is the winter' she tells me, 'imagine what it looks like in the summer.'
Surrey BC reminds me a bit of Portland Oregon, or anywhere USA population about 200,000 right next to Vancouver. Madscale growth , that old urban sprawl every lot has to be built a little McMansion, but enough of human dementia in misguided sense of what wealth truly is.
I Love Canada as I do the good old USA. Yesterday John and I did the proverbial dump run in the rain. Nothing like a dump run in the rain to kick the day in gear. We had his trailer hooked up to the back of his
little Ford 4wheel drive vehicle. 'Just give me 10 acres and I'll get this thing where it needs to be' .... as he backed up that trailer, with some pretty good maneuvering skills. John grew up on a farm in Manitoba. He's another young man who has been around long enough to somehow get the honour of being an 'old man'.
After that we stopped by his daughters Consignment shop where... the next great TV reality show needs to be created...
But I can't sit here typing this story there is more to do today.
Surrey BC reminds me a bit of Portland Oregon, or anywhere USA population about 200,000 right next to Vancouver. Madscale growth , that old urban sprawl every lot has to be built a little McMansion, but enough of human dementia in misguided sense of what wealth truly is.
I Love Canada as I do the good old USA. Yesterday John and I did the proverbial dump run in the rain. Nothing like a dump run in the rain to kick the day in gear. We had his trailer hooked up to the back of his
little Ford 4wheel drive vehicle. 'Just give me 10 acres and I'll get this thing where it needs to be' .... as he backed up that trailer, with some pretty good maneuvering skills. John grew up on a farm in Manitoba. He's another young man who has been around long enough to somehow get the honour of being an 'old man'.
After that we stopped by his daughters Consignment shop where... the next great TV reality show needs to be created...
But I can't sit here typing this story there is more to do today.
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