January 4, 2021
Redistricting in Washington: Part 1
Happy 2021 to everyone. This new year will offer us a reactivated Washington Redistricting Commission. These are four people, including a non-voting independent, who are basically granted the role of “Political Master of the Universe”. This is through the awesome power of choosing who the winners and losers are in an election — before even a single ballot is cast!
There is an article in today’s Seattle Times by Jim Brunner — inaugurating what promises to be a good serial of stories for 2021 about the powerful commission. Brunner states, “The redistricting process inevitably produces intrigue, with politicians chiming in publicly or secretly to request shifts in their districts to fend off electoral challenges.” As we know, the term fending off also means protecting. So there you have it — political elites protecting themselves by way of the Masters of the Universe. READ MORE....
December 23, 2020
BOOK PERSPECTIVE: Nature Matrix: New and Selected Essays by Robert Michael Pyle, Counterpoint Press (2020)
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Made another video for Grays River Grange with our Christmas message. (My look is from around 1962.) We did not have our traditional party this year—so made this video.
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December 10, 2020
Hello to anyone who is reading this blog. I started it a few months ago. It is 100% independent as I rent space on a server, and even write the HTML code myself.
Nearing the end of 2020 makes me think about this year. So tumultuous with the Covid, Kancel Kulture and other calamity infecting our society. I live in the luxury of peace and quiet. I finally realized that too much internet use / screentime has affected this reality. I also recognize personal compulsions are expressed when interacting with this keyboard and screen. For me, this is toxic and hence the term DIGITAL DETOX. I think it says it all.
So, instead of social media or watching YouTube videos on STOL aircraft or WWII Tiger Tanks, I play music, read and mostly go outside in the beautiful area where I live. I have read so many books, and want to review most for this blog — but the irony is that means more screentime! Nevertheless, will try to write a review or two. Am currently reading Nature Matrix by my Butterfly Launches from Spar Pole collaborator Dr. Robert Michael Pyle. This tome really is Pyle's manifesto; his plan for humanity to live with the world.
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Nevertheless, since you are interacting with a computer at the moment, check out these YouTube videos of a performance I was part of. I had the pleasure of playing music with Kim Thayil, Jillian Raye, Jennifer Johnson, Jeff Fielder, and Ben Smith; performing "Drone" by Alice In Chains at MoPOP's Founders Award fundraiser. I love AIC's Rainier Fog album. When I was invited to participate, new AIC immediatley came to mind. To tell you the truth, I know how it feels when all you hear about is your work from thirty years ago. Indeed, I welcome any acknowledgement and am not complaining. I wanted to send Jerry, Mike, William and Sean a message; "You Rock and you still Rock"
The first video below is of the whole production. So amazing it was created among the Covid social crisis. And it seems like the safety measures used by the producers worked as I have not heard of any infections as a result of creating this wonderful collection of performances by very talented people. The second vdieo is our performance of "Drone".
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(Krist Novoselić 2020 All Rights Reserved)