One billion dollars . . . mwhaa haa haa.
Turns out the total defence spending in the USA will (conservatively estimated) top 1.1 TRILLION dollars this year. That's the largest budget since WWII. Unbelievable.
If you make it to the end of this article, you're a better man than me. Here's what Hendrix had to say about stuff like this:
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then there will be peace."
Holy cow.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Valley Young Company un-update
Lots of people are wondering what the VYC show is going to be. So am I, because I am not involved this year. I know you're all going to cry, but there just isn't enough time to do everything, unfortunately. I know the boys have shortlisted a few shows and are working on the production team. When I know, I will let you know...
Monday, January 14, 2008
2008: A Year For Amateurs?
If I had a dollar for every time someone told me “I used to take piano lessons but…” or “I wish I could sing but…” my student loan would be shrinking faster than the polar ice cap.
Most people have a natural desire to express themselves artistically – whether through craft, woodworking, decorating, music, you name it. I wonder how many households in Carleton County had a musical instrument under the tree this Christmas.
Before the mass media age, citizens were forced to entertain themselves, so they did. Europeans wrote waltzes, symphonies and operas; the Scottish and Irish danced the night away with fiddles, drums and guitars. Nearly every home had a guitar or a piano in the parlor.
This musicianship wasn’t motivated by the idea of playing at Carnegie Hall. It was done for the player’s enjoyment and for social reasons. People enjoyed taking lessons and making music with each other. In rural culture especially, music (and food-they often go together) provided a break from hard labour and relief from loneliness.
In fact, the word ‘amateur’ comes from the French verb ‘aimer,’ which means ‘to love.’ So an amateur musician is someone who loves music, even if he or she is not specially trained.
Today, the age of amateurs is largely past. We are ‘consumers’ now, prepared to buy a piece of the fun from someone ‘more qualified’. Somewhere along the line, we were convinced to trade participation for a role as a spectator. We expect bigger and flashier shows, but remain hesitant to sing out even in church, where the 100th Psalm commands “Make a joyful noise, all the earth.”
For many people, part of the magic of Christmas is in the music. As the music director at Saint James, I look forward to Christmas Eve because it’s the only day in the church year I can turn up the organ to full volume and still hear the congregation singing.
At Christmas, amateurism is reborn temporarily. Small groups go caroling and a lucky few have a sing-along at home. People proudly display homemade crafts and gifts, and cookies become works of art.
Last Friday night at Fusion, Adam Mahoney and Allie Ross hosted an evening music as a fundraiser for their service-learning trip to Guatemala. The music was provided mostly by amateurs (Will Davidson being the obvious exception). The locals who love music-Richard Wetmore, Ruthie Luff, Lee Kinney, the hosts, provided a wonderful evening: genuine, well-intentioned and a little rough around the edges. This is a reflection of the people around here, who are similarly generous, kind and unpretentious.
Amateurism helps us enrich each other. Friday’s performances were not manipulated in the way most media are – for the profit of a few and often at the expense of the truth. By being brave enough to speak in our own voices, we assert that we have something worthwhile to say. To paraphrase a good source, amateurism is art “by the people of the people, for the people.”
I do believe people in Carleton County have something to say, and my wish for 2008 is that we will encourage each other more. Everyone who tells me they wish they could sing also agrees there is an abundance of natural talent around, if a lack of training opportunities.
So, let’s hope 2008 is a year where amateurs- lovers of food, music, gardening, you name it – get together to enjoy each other’s company and maybe even work together on a project or two. You never know, you might feel more connected, learn something new or simply enjoy the time spent. At the very least, you won’t have to mute the commercials.
Most people have a natural desire to express themselves artistically – whether through craft, woodworking, decorating, music, you name it. I wonder how many households in Carleton County had a musical instrument under the tree this Christmas.
Before the mass media age, citizens were forced to entertain themselves, so they did. Europeans wrote waltzes, symphonies and operas; the Scottish and Irish danced the night away with fiddles, drums and guitars. Nearly every home had a guitar or a piano in the parlor.
This musicianship wasn’t motivated by the idea of playing at Carnegie Hall. It was done for the player’s enjoyment and for social reasons. People enjoyed taking lessons and making music with each other. In rural culture especially, music (and food-they often go together) provided a break from hard labour and relief from loneliness.
In fact, the word ‘amateur’ comes from the French verb ‘aimer,’ which means ‘to love.’ So an amateur musician is someone who loves music, even if he or she is not specially trained.
Today, the age of amateurs is largely past. We are ‘consumers’ now, prepared to buy a piece of the fun from someone ‘more qualified’. Somewhere along the line, we were convinced to trade participation for a role as a spectator. We expect bigger and flashier shows, but remain hesitant to sing out even in church, where the 100th Psalm commands “Make a joyful noise, all the earth.”
For many people, part of the magic of Christmas is in the music. As the music director at Saint James, I look forward to Christmas Eve because it’s the only day in the church year I can turn up the organ to full volume and still hear the congregation singing.
At Christmas, amateurism is reborn temporarily. Small groups go caroling and a lucky few have a sing-along at home. People proudly display homemade crafts and gifts, and cookies become works of art.
Last Friday night at Fusion, Adam Mahoney and Allie Ross hosted an evening music as a fundraiser for their service-learning trip to Guatemala. The music was provided mostly by amateurs (Will Davidson being the obvious exception). The locals who love music-Richard Wetmore, Ruthie Luff, Lee Kinney, the hosts, provided a wonderful evening: genuine, well-intentioned and a little rough around the edges. This is a reflection of the people around here, who are similarly generous, kind and unpretentious.
Amateurism helps us enrich each other. Friday’s performances were not manipulated in the way most media are – for the profit of a few and often at the expense of the truth. By being brave enough to speak in our own voices, we assert that we have something worthwhile to say. To paraphrase a good source, amateurism is art “by the people of the people, for the people.”
I do believe people in Carleton County have something to say, and my wish for 2008 is that we will encourage each other more. Everyone who tells me they wish they could sing also agrees there is an abundance of natural talent around, if a lack of training opportunities.
So, let’s hope 2008 is a year where amateurs- lovers of food, music, gardening, you name it – get together to enjoy each other’s company and maybe even work together on a project or two. You never know, you might feel more connected, learn something new or simply enjoy the time spent. At the very least, you won’t have to mute the commercials.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Witch's Bloomers and Johnville Luggage
Back in the days of blue scarf and community service, all the Guides from Debec were sent to collect garbage in the spring. Not my favorite event, but a very effective lesson on littering. The amount of plastic that accumulates in a New Brunswick ditch in the run of a year is amazing and disgusting.
Today I read that China is going to outlaw plastic shopping bags. You know, the kind clogging up your house, better known as the "Cape Breton suitcase." The logic is they waste too much petroleum.
The funny part is, every time there is a major climate change conference, the USA and other rich countries complain about China and India not doing enough to curb CO2 emissions. The refusal of the US to get on board is a major obstacle to real progress.
By restricting the use of petroleum-based plastic bags in a nation of over a billion people, China has probably made more of an impact than our silly fixation with compact fluorescent light bulbs. The Chinese government is not known for its reluctance to regulate citizens and industry. If they were more aggressive on the climate change front, we could see some substantive progress for a change...
Today I read that China is going to outlaw plastic shopping bags. You know, the kind clogging up your house, better known as the "Cape Breton suitcase." The logic is they waste too much petroleum.
The funny part is, every time there is a major climate change conference, the USA and other rich countries complain about China and India not doing enough to curb CO2 emissions. The refusal of the US to get on board is a major obstacle to real progress.
By restricting the use of petroleum-based plastic bags in a nation of over a billion people, China has probably made more of an impact than our silly fixation with compact fluorescent light bulbs. The Chinese government is not known for its reluctance to regulate citizens and industry. If they were more aggressive on the climate change front, we could see some substantive progress for a change...
Friday, January 04, 2008
The Light of Day, indeed
Those who know me never say the words "NB Power." It leads to ranting and outrage. Well, turns out my favorite folks are on their back on best behaviour, letting petroleum coke blow in the wind outside of Saint John.
Of course, during the Environmental Impact Assessment the public was assured this wouldn't happen. To put this in perspective, petroleum coke is a by-product of oil refineries and is one of the most polluting fossil fuels available. And NB Power execs are the highest paid civil servants in our province (more than the Premier, even).
It's a good thing they know what they're doing. See-ranting, I told you. Where' s Bob Dylan when you need him?
Of course, during the Environmental Impact Assessment the public was assured this wouldn't happen. To put this in perspective, petroleum coke is a by-product of oil refineries and is one of the most polluting fossil fuels available. And NB Power execs are the highest paid civil servants in our province (more than the Premier, even).
It's a good thing they know what they're doing. See-ranting, I told you. Where' s Bob Dylan when you need him?
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Adios 2007
Well, I know nobody would expect the standard year-in-review post, so here it is. I know you've all been waiting for it (I don't know which punctuation marks are used for sarcasm...)
It seems 2007 was a year of loss and of possibilities. We lost some wonderful artists, especially Canadians. Oscar Peterson, Doug Riley, Richard Bradshaw, Celia Franca (founder of the National Ballet) - people who put Canada on the artistic map.
Maybe I'm naive, but these people excelled at the arts during a time when there wasn't a lot of prestige to be had-playing 7 nights a week in rough bars, enduring racism, obscurity and the challenge of being an artist in a country without a well-supported artistic network. They did it because they loved it, and we have been enriched by their contributions.
As for possibilities, the arts are on the local radar. Talk is afoot of a major civic project including some kind of theatre renovation/arts centre and in 2008 I will be returning to council to follow up on the arts coordinator positition I advocated for last June.
A couple more thoughts to chew on- first a great article by our Lieutenant Governor (Hermenegilde Chiasson) who is also a poet, playwright and visual artist.
Second, I read this book called "the Creative Class." The basic idea is that the real source of economic growth is creativity-from research, artistic work and technological innovation. And in order to attract these kinds of people, an area needs access to higher education, good street-level culture (nightlife, music, cafes etc.), an atmosphere of tolerance, diversity and respect, and access to good outdoor recreation.
The wheels have started turning again-woke up at 3:45 a.m. yesterday deluged by plans and ideas. I guess that means it's time to get back to work...
It seems 2007 was a year of loss and of possibilities. We lost some wonderful artists, especially Canadians. Oscar Peterson, Doug Riley, Richard Bradshaw, Celia Franca (founder of the National Ballet) - people who put Canada on the artistic map.
Maybe I'm naive, but these people excelled at the arts during a time when there wasn't a lot of prestige to be had-playing 7 nights a week in rough bars, enduring racism, obscurity and the challenge of being an artist in a country without a well-supported artistic network. They did it because they loved it, and we have been enriched by their contributions.
As for possibilities, the arts are on the local radar. Talk is afoot of a major civic project including some kind of theatre renovation/arts centre and in 2008 I will be returning to council to follow up on the arts coordinator positition I advocated for last June.
A couple more thoughts to chew on- first a great article by our Lieutenant Governor (Hermenegilde Chiasson) who is also a poet, playwright and visual artist.
Second, I read this book called "the Creative Class." The basic idea is that the real source of economic growth is creativity-from research, artistic work and technological innovation. And in order to attract these kinds of people, an area needs access to higher education, good street-level culture (nightlife, music, cafes etc.), an atmosphere of tolerance, diversity and respect, and access to good outdoor recreation.
The wheels have started turning again-woke up at 3:45 a.m. yesterday deluged by plans and ideas. I guess that means it's time to get back to work...
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