New Flames

For some this past ten years were memorable, for others, best left behind. Here's hoping the next ten will still be better than the last for all. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Faded Frenzies now Peace, maybe even Joy

It's amazing what we as a society will do for the commercial version of peace and joy. We go to battle on the streets, row after row of armies of tanks, and other assault vehicles, in the trenches and aisles, fully equipped with plastic power launchers, that go ballistic. Modern day weapons can wipe out 100s of Hiroshimas in one bomb, and society's very generous giving to the annual stimulus for our own economy is enough to wipe out hunger in many Hiroshimas and countries in the world. Oh the power we have to do bad, but also good, in the world... if we more seriously wanted to.

Best Wishes for the Christmas Season ... and all the Others

Lenin and McCartney

Paul McCartney in Red Square, 2003, doing "Two of Us". The song is about him and his then girlfriend Linda Eastman, not John Lennon, but it is apparently thought to be, and could well have been. In any case, a nice number about camaraderie, with a catchy bass run.

Gifted Already

I still take part in customs of peace and joy,
and try to be that deserving good boy.
But as exchanges have merit where good intent is meant,
I'm happy just with civility, and simple caring, to be content.

With warm lodging, enough food, and comforts of life,
not in fear, violence, and never-ending strife.
There's justice, freedom, and protection in society,
not the chronic cruelty and grief of others' anxiety.

We acquire things to fill some needs,
then follow ads to spend and give - those marketing creeds.
While more things don't always make us content,
Others hope for new ways for energies to be spent.

We are lucky to be here I know is cliché,
it's just that we had no input on where we would stay.
We didn't determine what place to be born,
the "I" in us could here, there, or could be foreign.

Whether luck or a gift, how fortunate to be in peace and free,
that beaten brother, and tortured sis on tv, could be you, could be me.
That Guatemalan woman, stripped by a mob, about to be set on fire,
makes me wonder why her birth place was not mine, and senselessly dire.

As we search for loved ones' gifts at stores like the Gap,
its other meaning is all over the map.
Live news broadcasts the strife of the poor,
and it makes me want less, more and more.

"Greatest Christmas Surprise in Labrador's History"

That's how Metis Nation president Chris Montague described the linking of phase 3 to the other sections making up the 1,150 drive across Labrador. For the first time, it is now possible to actually drive all the way across Labrador's wilderness, previously unseen to virtually everyone. It means more convenience for residents for travel, transport, communications in person, and family interaction. For anyone it means a chance to see a wild and beautiful part of our province that is unknown, an opportunity for photos, hiking, discovering, appreciating and respecting. It will also mean more opportunities for the development of services along the way, thus, allowing for economic development. For vacationers, it opens up over 1100 km of possibilities for in-province vacation trips to a great and "new" land.
Click map to enlarge (map source - CBC/NL)

Unusual Christmas Gift Ideas

DVD - Songs of Martyrdom - Tony Bennett and Friends The Weather Network DVD set - forecasts for 2000-2009 Why not open a CIBC No-Interest Savings account (*you earn next to No interest on your savings) Walmart's combo Defibrillator/Nitroglyceron kit, for those "Shop Till You Drop" Days Greenpeace's Climate Change Disposable Plate Set
Toys and Games Bagpipe Hero Martyrdom and Dumber from Fisher Price Where's the Infidel? Botox Barbie Burka Barbie The Taliban Nut Pack The Taliban U.S. President Effigy Set Tickle me Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Books Playin' a Round - Tiger Woods Made Off - Bernie Madoff

Insta-Mega Millionaires are Giving Back .. just as They Promised

When Kirby and Marie Fontaine won $50,000,000 from the Manitoba Lottery Corporation, they promised to make positive changes to their Sagkeeng First Nation community, 150 km from Winnipeg. From many reports of people who know the couple, and from their own words and actions, the lottery win could not have happened to two nicer people. At their press conference in November, partially paralyzed Kirby and wife Marie, said that they had been down to their last few dollars. They were clearly happy, and had much to smile about. They were smiling at not only improving their own lot -outlook, and actual dwelling - but also that of the community they shared with others.

They are making good on their promise to help by funding three school breakfast and hot lunch programs, funding make-work projects that not only employ those who would otherwise have to move away for work, but beautifying the community that is, and will remain in their homes. Kids are concentrating more on learning and less on empty bellies, and there are fewer discipline problems says one school principal.

Marie and Kirby are living many people's dreams right now, by being able to make and see their community improve, in a fast way. At any time of year, to this First Nation couple we can say, "That's the spirit!"

John Lennon Would Have ..

done a concert tour in 1981 to follow the success of his last album Double Fantasy. There is no reason to imagine it would have been his last, or last album. There had been enough extra music that Yoko released songs in 1981. As well John and Paul were on more friendly terms at least since 1974 when they actually jammed together and sang Lucille, along with Stevie Wonder and Harry Nilson. There are bootleg recordings of this, and can be found online, but it's nothing to be proud of.. it was during John's so-called "long weekend" of excess.
The photo is a rare shot of Lennon and McCartney "together" at least in the same photo, post-Beatle breakup.. in 1974 during a jam session


In 1980, Lennon was listening to music by Paul McCartney, and he liked what he heard, specifically "Coming Up", the catchy upbeat solo hit by Paul. Lennon has said that, "it's a dam fine number.. I just can't get it out of my head", and some say it was a factor in him getting back to the recording studio.

During the 1970s, despite old wounds from financial and management disagreements during the breakup of the Beatles, Lennon still did not totally discount a Beatle reunion of some type. He told friend Eliot Mintz that "if it happens, it happens because we would want to." So it is very conceivable given a warming of relations between Lennon and McCartney that they and the other Fab two would get back together for a concert, album or both.

Lennon would have been 69 today. The only thing possible is to enjoy the music and message he left. Below is the last Beatle performance, on the Abby Road studio rooftop. They performed five songs, and this clip is "Don't Let Me Down".

Leaping into Winter

Might as well get used to it

It's only Dec. 7, and a major dousing of angry mother nature has kicked of what looks to be a long road ahead of snow and cold. Sorry David Suzuki, but global warming where are you?

cool views on winter

before we entered the net
and could watch digital tv,
winter's snow and ice
were great things, and free

it's still true today
with kids out at play,
there are no winter complaints
except shortness of day

now it causes heaps of wrangle
tied tightly to the age of our angle,
clothes aplenty, keeping dry
can simply limit winter's tangle

like kids seeking a winter thrill
ways exist to cool the chill,
a brisk beauty to be seen,
as more than just sliding down hill