I'm twittering.
Unfortunately, because my cell phones a bit old and I'm on pre-paid (laugh all you want james) I can't update it from my phone yet, but watch this space.
In the meantime I'll update it every now and again. You can check out my entries here (on the right of this page, scroll down a bit, below my links, above my followers).
Wiki!
for those who might not know what twitter is (no names mentioned):
Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?
Saturday, February 14, 2009
The best way to travel (SA Dec/Jan 09 pt5)
I flew into joburg and quickly got a taxi into Melville, and to the Greenpeace office. I walked in and said hello to the people who were working. Some of the people I would have liked to have spoken to were not there, but I got introduced to the people working there and saw their premises, a really nice house that has been converted into an office.
After that I walked down to a local Mugg and Bean and had a cup of tea while I waited for Phil to finish work. Once he had he picked me up we headed to the Jolly roger for half a pizza and a couple of beers. Chris and Ciska picked me up there and we got some excellent thai food, and headed back to their (lovely) new house and Larry the beaglador. After some great chatting and a bit of hooka piping we went to bed, and in the morning Chris dropped me off at the Joburg station, where I bought a newspaper and met Dad for the train ride to Cape Town.
The Shosholoza Meyl was advertised as a pleasant experience, which I think rather under sells the train trip (aah, they've hit on my underpromise and overdeliver mantra, which some day I'll actually adhere to!). The only thing that wasn't good about the trip was booking the tickets. They have no way to book without actually going to the station (although my sister swears she booked by paying money into their bank account and then picking the tickets up from the station). You can book tickets before hand, however once you've reserved, the reservation is only valid for two days where after you need to have bought your tickets at the station. It should be easy enough to set up an e-ticketing system where you can print your tickets at home, or at least to hook up with a service like Computicket, like Intercape buses do.
Well, as I said the only bad thing was the booking. We got on at joburg and left only about 15 minutes late (was it dad? - he has the time to the minute that we arrived at and left every station, I think he was still keeping tabs in his sleep ;-). As we pulled out of johannesburg we settled into our 2 person coupé, distributed the newspapers and had a bit of a read as the highveld slipped by. We ordered our bedding (for R40) and then went off for a little something to eat (after some literally ice cold beers). Cards were the order of the afternoon and as a thunder and lightning storm stormed off in the distance we played a refined game of German whist. Supper was macaroni cheese for me and a steak for dad, accompanied by a fine bottle of red (okay, it was Chateu Libertas...). After that it was a few more hands and then bed.
The night went well, despite the rain continueing, and when we went to bed Dad thought we would be in a lot later than the anticipated 12:10 (I however had a well placed hope in the men and women at SARS and Shosholoza Meyl). Sleeping on the train wasn't the deepest sleep which was perhaps that the bunks were a bit small, but after a relatively good sleep I woke up and read for a bit (unfortunatly on the top bunk so I couldn't see the scenery go by). Once dad was up we had a fry up breakfast, and went back to our cabin for a few games of battleships (all won by Dad!) and to watch the last of the Klein Karoo and the Hex River valley slide by. There were also some very long tunnels which neither of us had expected. Sooner than expected we were pulling into Cape Town with the mountain ahead and Ratanga Junction off to our right. We got into the station early, and got onto a Metro train to take me to Mowbray, and Dad to False Bay.
I walked back to Em and Al's house where I was to spend only a night before starting a two day trail with Em, Plus, Al and Dad.
Shosholoza Meyl was fantastic, and I would highly recommend a trip on the train to anybody with enough time to take a slow trip.
After that I walked down to a local Mugg and Bean and had a cup of tea while I waited for Phil to finish work. Once he had he picked me up we headed to the Jolly roger for half a pizza and a couple of beers. Chris and Ciska picked me up there and we got some excellent thai food, and headed back to their (lovely) new house and Larry the beaglador. After some great chatting and a bit of hooka piping we went to bed, and in the morning Chris dropped me off at the Joburg station, where I bought a newspaper and met Dad for the train ride to Cape Town.
The Shosholoza Meyl was advertised as a pleasant experience, which I think rather under sells the train trip (aah, they've hit on my underpromise and overdeliver mantra, which some day I'll actually adhere to!). The only thing that wasn't good about the trip was booking the tickets. They have no way to book without actually going to the station (although my sister swears she booked by paying money into their bank account and then picking the tickets up from the station). You can book tickets before hand, however once you've reserved, the reservation is only valid for two days where after you need to have bought your tickets at the station. It should be easy enough to set up an e-ticketing system where you can print your tickets at home, or at least to hook up with a service like Computicket, like Intercape buses do.
Well, as I said the only bad thing was the booking. We got on at joburg and left only about 15 minutes late (was it dad? - he has the time to the minute that we arrived at and left every station, I think he was still keeping tabs in his sleep ;-). As we pulled out of johannesburg we settled into our 2 person coupé, distributed the newspapers and had a bit of a read as the highveld slipped by. We ordered our bedding (for R40) and then went off for a little something to eat (after some literally ice cold beers). Cards were the order of the afternoon and as a thunder and lightning storm stormed off in the distance we played a refined game of German whist. Supper was macaroni cheese for me and a steak for dad, accompanied by a fine bottle of red (okay, it was Chateu Libertas...). After that it was a few more hands and then bed.
The night went well, despite the rain continueing, and when we went to bed Dad thought we would be in a lot later than the anticipated 12:10 (I however had a well placed hope in the men and women at SARS and Shosholoza Meyl). Sleeping on the train wasn't the deepest sleep which was perhaps that the bunks were a bit small, but after a relatively good sleep I woke up and read for a bit (unfortunatly on the top bunk so I couldn't see the scenery go by). Once dad was up we had a fry up breakfast, and went back to our cabin for a few games of battleships (all won by Dad!) and to watch the last of the Klein Karoo and the Hex River valley slide by. There were also some very long tunnels which neither of us had expected. Sooner than expected we were pulling into Cape Town with the mountain ahead and Ratanga Junction off to our right. We got into the station early, and got onto a Metro train to take me to Mowbray, and Dad to False Bay.
I walked back to Em and Al's house where I was to spend only a night before starting a two day trail with Em, Plus, Al and Dad.
Shosholoza Meyl was fantastic, and I would highly recommend a trip on the train to anybody with enough time to take a slow trip.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Zuma for prez?
Well, okay, bring it on!
Having just read Jeremy Gordin's biography, I'm feeling much better about JZ taking over the presidency of my country. I also hope he brings about some economic sense to a developing country (read: not bow to the false god of FDI).
If the ANC is going to focus on the rural areas more in 2009, I think there are worse people and parties for the top job.
Having just read Jeremy Gordin's biography, I'm feeling much better about JZ taking over the presidency of my country. I also hope he brings about some economic sense to a developing country (read: not bow to the false god of FDI).
If the ANC is going to focus on the rural areas more in 2009, I think there are worse people and parties for the top job.
Sabi Sands (SA Dec/Jan 09 pt4)
After the morning after fry up at one of the trout dams I said goodbye to the rhodes mates and set off towards Nelspruit with Gene's parents. I got to Nelspruit without trouble, and some interesting conversation about forestry with John, Gene's dad.
Once there though I started feeling a bit off colour. I met up with the guy who was going to give me and 4 brits a lift through to Kirkman's Camp, in the Sabi Sands. Kirkmans is a private game reserve in one of the richest game areas of the Kruger Park, the Sabi Sands. Murray, a friend of mine from school days is the head game ranger at Kirkman's, and it was because of him that I had the opportunity of a life time to experience a luxury game reserve.
I was staying in Murray's staff lodging (he quickly whipped up a bed for me to sleep off the rest of my hangover - very understanding). It was simple, but right in the middle of the bush which made it luxurious beyond measure - were else do you get to see hyenas running past about 10 metres away while you're having a braai, and have to make sure your shoes are inside at night to avoid them walking off. During the days I slept and read, only to be disturbed by the odd meal and game drive.
The game drives were awesome, off road driving like I've never experienced. And of course the animals. The rangers found them all and extremely close up, I could've touched most of them. We almost ran over the pack of wild dogs we found on my first full day. I saw Rhino, Baboons, Giraffe, Impala, Leopards, Wild dogs, Hyena, Elephant, Owls, Amarula treas, Russet Willows, Sausage trees, Chameleons, Lions, Buffalo, Smaller antelops, Bats, Moths, Monkeys and if I sit long enough I think I'll remember a million more! I was also treated to a bush breakfast (all laid out in the middle of the bush, with cooked breakfast and croissants), and on the evening game drives we stopped for sundowners with biltong, nuts, dried mango and our choice of ice cold drinks - there is really nothing like a ice cold beer as the sun goes down over the bush!
At night we'd braai or just have some beers and talk. It was really magical. After 4 days it was time to move on again though, and Murray again came through, organising me a flight to Joburg from only 15 minutes down the dirt road.
Once back in the big city, I was amazed at how we have managed to confine nature to these small spaces between civilisation, but as soon as we reach the pinical of civilisation, we take the opportunity to rush back to the wild (admitedly, this time in a 4x4).
In Joburg I went to visit Greenpeace SA and managed to squeeze in a beer (or 3) and pizza with Phil at Jolly Rogers before I was picked up by Chris and Ciska for some great thai food and a comfy bed in there new house, gaurded ably by Larry the Beaglador.
(sorry, photos just wouldn't do it justice - and besides, I didn't take a camera!)
Once there though I started feeling a bit off colour. I met up with the guy who was going to give me and 4 brits a lift through to Kirkman's Camp, in the Sabi Sands. Kirkmans is a private game reserve in one of the richest game areas of the Kruger Park, the Sabi Sands. Murray, a friend of mine from school days is the head game ranger at Kirkman's, and it was because of him that I had the opportunity of a life time to experience a luxury game reserve.
I was staying in Murray's staff lodging (he quickly whipped up a bed for me to sleep off the rest of my hangover - very understanding). It was simple, but right in the middle of the bush which made it luxurious beyond measure - were else do you get to see hyenas running past about 10 metres away while you're having a braai, and have to make sure your shoes are inside at night to avoid them walking off. During the days I slept and read, only to be disturbed by the odd meal and game drive.
The game drives were awesome, off road driving like I've never experienced. And of course the animals. The rangers found them all and extremely close up, I could've touched most of them. We almost ran over the pack of wild dogs we found on my first full day. I saw Rhino, Baboons, Giraffe, Impala, Leopards, Wild dogs, Hyena, Elephant, Owls, Amarula treas, Russet Willows, Sausage trees, Chameleons, Lions, Buffalo, Smaller antelops, Bats, Moths, Monkeys and if I sit long enough I think I'll remember a million more! I was also treated to a bush breakfast (all laid out in the middle of the bush, with cooked breakfast and croissants), and on the evening game drives we stopped for sundowners with biltong, nuts, dried mango and our choice of ice cold drinks - there is really nothing like a ice cold beer as the sun goes down over the bush!
At night we'd braai or just have some beers and talk. It was really magical. After 4 days it was time to move on again though, and Murray again came through, organising me a flight to Joburg from only 15 minutes down the dirt road.
Once back in the big city, I was amazed at how we have managed to confine nature to these small spaces between civilisation, but as soon as we reach the pinical of civilisation, we take the opportunity to rush back to the wild (admitedly, this time in a 4x4).
In Joburg I went to visit Greenpeace SA and managed to squeeze in a beer (or 3) and pizza with Phil at Jolly Rogers before I was picked up by Chris and Ciska for some great thai food and a comfy bed in there new house, gaurded ably by Larry the Beaglador.
(sorry, photos just wouldn't do it justice - and besides, I didn't take a camera!)
Monday, January 26, 2009
Fishy weddings (SA Dec/Jan 09 pt3)
So after Napier, Mum dropped me off at the airport and I met Thandi who was on the same flight up to Jozi for New Years and weddings. After a long shuttle ride from the Joburg airport to Lydenburg we were met there by Bruce and Charne in the bakkies to go back to the farm. We stayed the first couple of nights on a friends farm with no electricity and an argar to heat the water - good times!
The first night we had a fantastic new years party 60's style (which looked more like it was just fancy dress) when you put that many rhodents together you're sure of a good party, and a party it was! See edited pictures for evidence.The next day I put a hole in Killas tyre on an ill-fated and never completed town trip. And then spent the most of the day reading and swimming, while others slaved away over at the wedding 
venue. That night we got our last minute instructions from the bride and groom over a great meal of pasta made by Peta.
venue. That night we got our last minute instructions from the bride and groom over a great meal of pasta made by Peta.The day before the wedding (2/1) everybody was running around helping with a million things and moving us into our fantastic lodges on Bruce's parents trout farm. The venue was looking awesome with the the chapel constructed from scratch for the event. Finishing touches were being put on the orders of service, the golf course and the dancefloor. We had snacks and drinks at the girls lodge before going back to the boys lodge for a couple of sneaky beers, some didgeridoo playing and talk of wynd's (a passage of sorts).
The day arrived with much hecticness of sticking names onto seating plans made out of rock, cleaning of dance floors and trying to disguise portaloos (and rus and killa still trying to finish off the video booth). It soon all collapsed into an amazing wedding in the most awesome venue. Everyone looked great, the speeches were good, the mcing brilliant (if I do say so myself :-) and the entertainment legendary, even with a not very well stocked bar. The best thing was the reuniting of people - with all the group there it was like one of the best night at Rhodes, with all the dance moves being thrown around, the silliness, the bad photos.
Congratulations to Bruce and Charne on getting married, and putting a huge amount of effort into an amazing wedding.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Pick it up! or...
When I see rubbish lying on the beach, I'm in two minds whether to pick it up or not. Strange, being an "environmentally minded" person, but I guess the question is, where does the rubbish go once you do pick it up? Where is away?
When someone picks up rubbish from a beach or nature reserve they usually put it in the nearest bin. I doubt it is recycled from there, it is probably taken to landfill. Landfill is just another person/creature/insect's home.
For me the answer to plastic bottles lying on the beach surely doesn't lie with how we dispose or recycle the bottles, but rather with not using plastic bottles (and all the other -mainly plastic- junk that litters or environment) .
Buy one water bottle that is made from another material, or buy one that will last at least 10 years. Refuse to buy things in packaging the manufacturer will not take back, and where possible bring your own packaging. These are steps that are easy to take and will have the biggest influence.
As for the litter - leave it lying there as a reminder to others that there is no such place as "away", and precycling, not recycling is the only answer.
When someone picks up rubbish from a beach or nature reserve they usually put it in the nearest bin. I doubt it is recycled from there, it is probably taken to landfill. Landfill is just another person/creature/insect's home.
For me the answer to plastic bottles lying on the beach surely doesn't lie with how we dispose or recycle the bottles, but rather with not using plastic bottles (and all the other -mainly plastic- junk that litters or environment) .
Buy one water bottle that is made from another material, or buy one that will last at least 10 years. Refuse to buy things in packaging the manufacturer will not take back, and where possible bring your own packaging. These are steps that are easy to take and will have the biggest influence.
As for the litter - leave it lying there as a reminder to others that there is no such place as "away", and precycling, not recycling is the only answer.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Christmas at Mariley (SA Dec/Jan 09 pt2)
Christmas with the family was good, despite being tense at times. Full was definitely the word to describe it best with it passing in a blur of breakfasts, teas, lunches, dinners, chocolates and biscuits. Mum as always pulled out all the stops with loads of fresh veggies from the garden and a superb nut roast for me, as well as a cassata I was entirely ready to lie cheat and steal for. Dads Christmas pud also went down well I had a second helping, whether I managed it is another story. I also managed to sort out my stuff (with Mark's help) and give some to charity and condense the rest. Once everyone else had left it was me, mum and al and em. We spent an afternoon wlaking around de Mond, took the dogs for a walk and had an amazing supper at Juliens in Bredasdorp with great wine (Soetvlei Shiraz?).
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Road trippin' (SA Dec/Jan 09 pt1)
After a week of admin in Cape Town, Saturday morning came round. After visiting the Hiscocks and Tylers, I went shopping at KC for the essentials (and the biggest watermelon I could find, which, lets face it, is an essential) while Ruth sorted Kit(t?) with some last minute wheel alignment. We managed to get on the road only and hour later than our absolute deadling and headed of for "die Hel".
By the time we reached Beaufort West (I think) we (read "I") were getting a little worried about the light, given that those who had been there before all suggested a 4x4. Ruth decided to push on despite me trying to sound as anti driving into the mountains, yet uncritical of Kit as possible. We filled up at the last petrol station and ventured off, driving into an amazing mountain pass with fantastic views, very badly captured on camera.
The sun had pretty much set by the time we passed the "2 and a half hours to die Hel" sign, but unbowed we carried on. With only a few scrapes to Kit and some white knuckles, we got to the campsite and managed to chose the best spot, even in the dark. The next morning we woke up and made the biggest fruit salad ever (
in the watermelon) and also, inadvertently, Wyclef the watermelon.As it was frikkin boiling we went in search of the pool and cold beers, with a packed lunch. We wallowed in the pool and chatted to the friendly Joburgers and Germans. Supper was braaied veggie sausages, beers and chocolate (a little runny from the day in the car). We also fitted in some frisbee throwing as well.
The next day we joined the ever coming and going procession of 4x4s out of die Hel, with me guiding Ruth and Kit over the the dry river beds (note white knuckles).
The journey out was even more beautiful than the drive in. Once we were out of the pass we hit Oudtshoorn for a quick drink, sunglasses and some aubergines. Then it was on to Route 62, past Ronnies Sex Shop and to lunch and foosball just outside Ladysmith. Through another pass, and we arrived at Napier, and quickly headed to Sun Touched for a cold one, which
was followed by half a movie and bed.The next day Paul arrived and we went off in search of candles and lunch, to eat at de Mond. Unfortunately no one wanted to brave the wind as much as I did (it was admittedly blowing quite a gale) so we returned t
o Mariley for lunch. Once mum had gone to bed, the three of us stayed up late into the night talking and drinking tassies, obies and klippies and coke (Ruth and I had luckily escaped the curse of klippies and coke despite our stop in Oudtshoorn.)The next day Paul and Ruth left for their respective families for Christmas.
Thanks to Kit for getting us there and back again in absolute style. Thanks to Paul fr coming out ad spending time in Napier (and being official photographer for a while). Biggest thanks to Ruth, who didn't get scared off by
my powerpoint. One of the best road trip partners ever, who drove the dodgiest road without losing her sense of humour once. You rock! Looking forward to Road Trip II - The return of the killer sporf...
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Documentaries and friends
This past week was the idfa in Amsterdam, a documentary film festival. It was great, and I saw some really good ones, and am considering reviewing my criteria for a good film (guns, explosion and good looking women).
On Monday I saw Poison Fire a film about gas flaring in Nigeria. Another of those thinks that reminds you that the current economic system is very deeply flawed. Big oil multinationals drill for oil in Nigeria and when the oil comes up, it brings with it a lot of gas. This gas makes the oil difficult to transport, so the companies burn it off in huge gas flares. This is while Nigerians have very few opportunities for fuel for cooking. And of course the flaring leads to huge health problems for the people living nearby. Shell in particular has been taking to court a number of times in Nigeria over the flaring and has been ordered to stop flaring. They haven't, but now a case is being brought to a Dutch court ... we live in hope!
On Wednesday I saw a film that wasn't on the festival, but was shown by Greenpeace NL. It was called The Deadline and was about pirate fishing off the cost of Africa (New Guinea in particular). It was interesting to learn about pirate fishing, but more to see again how much work goes into a Greenpeace campaign, to end with just one action. I've bought a copy of this one, so if you'd like to see it, let me know the next time I'm on my way to you.
**oh, and speaking of piracy, check out this Sunday Herald article for a really interesting take on the recent increase in piracy off the coast of Somalia**
On Thursday it was Let's Make Money, a film about the world economy and how CRAZY it is. The best quote? An government official from Burkina Fasso saying that if subsidies like the US subsidy on cotton were not ended, the people of Africa would invade Europe, even if they built a wall 10 metres high to keep them out (Kein mensch ist illegal!). Me and Zeina were cheering :-)
On Friday I saw Sea Point Days, a documentary about Sea Point (yes, in Cape Town) and it left me with the biggest smile on my face. A really positive look at SA, and showed of some of SAs best sides!
Saturday was a weird one called A Complete History of My Sexual Failures. A (rather useless) guy going back and interviewing all his ex girlfriends on why they dumped him. It also involved him being whipped by dominatrix and taking 6 viagras. Pretty funny at times. And led to a good discusion between me and Tamar on assholes and what constitutes an asshole. The randomness of the conversation was also fed by the fact that about 4 hours previously I had eaten more baked goods than could strictly be called necessary and then gone to a party where Mel had shown what the snack table would look like in heaven (mint and feta bread? yes please).
Today was the last one and a really good one about plastic called Addicted to Plastic. Not nearly depressing enough to be called a good environmental documentary in my book. Well, seriously it was very good at not getting too crazy about the fact that the pacific ocean is more or less a plastic soup, and showing some really good examples of people working on plastic waste.
So a good week of documentaries and now for the next two weeks I've got meetings most days. Then it's holidays in SA, which I am really looking forward to!
On Monday I saw Poison Fire a film about gas flaring in Nigeria. Another of those thinks that reminds you that the current economic system is very deeply flawed. Big oil multinationals drill for oil in Nigeria and when the oil comes up, it brings with it a lot of gas. This gas makes the oil difficult to transport, so the companies burn it off in huge gas flares. This is while Nigerians have very few opportunities for fuel for cooking. And of course the flaring leads to huge health problems for the people living nearby. Shell in particular has been taking to court a number of times in Nigeria over the flaring and has been ordered to stop flaring. They haven't, but now a case is being brought to a Dutch court ... we live in hope!
On Wednesday I saw a film that wasn't on the festival, but was shown by Greenpeace NL. It was called The Deadline and was about pirate fishing off the cost of Africa (New Guinea in particular). It was interesting to learn about pirate fishing, but more to see again how much work goes into a Greenpeace campaign, to end with just one action. I've bought a copy of this one, so if you'd like to see it, let me know the next time I'm on my way to you.
**oh, and speaking of piracy, check out this Sunday Herald article for a really interesting take on the recent increase in piracy off the coast of Somalia**
On Thursday it was Let's Make Money, a film about the world economy and how CRAZY it is. The best quote? An government official from Burkina Fasso saying that if subsidies like the US subsidy on cotton were not ended, the people of Africa would invade Europe, even if they built a wall 10 metres high to keep them out (Kein mensch ist illegal!). Me and Zeina were cheering :-)
On Friday I saw Sea Point Days, a documentary about Sea Point (yes, in Cape Town) and it left me with the biggest smile on my face. A really positive look at SA, and showed of some of SAs best sides!
Saturday was a weird one called A Complete History of My Sexual Failures. A (rather useless) guy going back and interviewing all his ex girlfriends on why they dumped him. It also involved him being whipped by dominatrix and taking 6 viagras. Pretty funny at times. And led to a good discusion between me and Tamar on assholes and what constitutes an asshole. The randomness of the conversation was also fed by the fact that about 4 hours previously I had eaten more baked goods than could strictly be called necessary and then gone to a party where Mel had shown what the snack table would look like in heaven (mint and feta bread? yes please).
Today was the last one and a really good one about plastic called Addicted to Plastic. Not nearly depressing enough to be called a good environmental documentary in my book. Well, seriously it was very good at not getting too crazy about the fact that the pacific ocean is more or less a plastic soup, and showing some really good examples of people working on plastic waste.
So a good week of documentaries and now for the next two weeks I've got meetings most days. Then it's holidays in SA, which I am really looking forward to!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
lost glove found glove
I went for a long ride on Sunday and during the taking off my jacket, putting on my jacket and taking my gloves off and putting them back on and putting them in the pockets of my jacket I lost one. Really cool gloves that Holle bought for me at Globetrotter.
So what good is one glove? Not very much and I was very frustrated that I would have to throw away a perfectly good glove and go and buy 2 more. However, I related my story of woe to anyone and everyone who would listen, and what do you know, Ilona said that she had a glove that some one left at her house.
So she bought it in, and it was the right hand (in both meanings of the word). So now I have too slightly different gloves, warm hands and a warm heart.
So what good is one glove? Not very much and I was very frustrated that I would have to throw away a perfectly good glove and go and buy 2 more. However, I related my story of woe to anyone and everyone who would listen, and what do you know, Ilona said that she had a glove that some one left at her house.
So she bought it in, and it was the right hand (in both meanings of the word). So now I have too slightly different gloves, warm hands and a warm heart.
When not getting arrested isn't good...
Last Saturday I wanted to join some friends in stopping e-on building a coal power station in Rotterdam. We were going to camp outside the power station on Friday and then slowly escalate our prescene until we entered the site on Monday and locked on to machinery etc. to stop the construction of the power station.
I had a meeting on Friday, so was planning to join my hundred odd friends on Saturday, but as I was preparing to catch the train out to Rottterdam, I got a call saying that the had already entered the site and were busy getting arrested.
Oh well, hopefully next time I'll be able to confront the enforced violence of a system intent on destroying the planet.
I had a meeting on Friday, so was planning to join my hundred odd friends on Saturday, but as I was preparing to catch the train out to Rottterdam, I got a call saying that the had already entered the site and were busy getting arrested.
Oh well, hopefully next time I'll be able to confront the enforced violence of a system intent on destroying the planet.
The Premises of Endgame
Premise One: Civilization is not and can never be sustainable. This is especially true for industrial civilization.
Premise Two: Traditional communities do not often voluntarily give up or sell the resources on which their communities are based until their communities have been destroyed. They also do not willingly allow their landbases to be damaged so that other resources—gold, oil, and so on—can be extracted. It follows that those who want the resources will do what they can to destroy traditional communities.
Premise Three: Our way of living—industrial civilization—is based on, requires, and would collapse very quickly without persistent and widespread violence.
Premise Four: Civilization is based on a clearly defined and widely accepted yet often unarticulated hierarchy. Violence done by those higher on the hierarchy to those lower is nearly always invisible, that is, unnoticed. When it is noticed, it is fully rationalized. Violence done by those lower on the hierarchy to those higher is unthinkable, and when it does occur is regarded with shock, horror, and the fetishization of the victims.
Premise Five: The property of those higher on the hierarchy is more valuable than the lives of those below. It is acceptable for those above to increase the amount of property they control—in everyday language, to make money—by destroying or taking the lives of those below. This is called production. If those below damage the property of those above, those above may kill or otherwise destroy the lives of those below. This is called justice.
Premise Six: Civilization is not redeemable. This culture will not undergo any sort of voluntary transformation to a sane and sustainable way of living. If we do not put a halt to it, civilization will continue to immiserate the vast majority of humans and to degrade the planet until it (civilization, and probably the planet) collapses. The effects of this degradation will continue to harm humans and nonhumans for a very long time.
Premise Seven: The longer we wait for civilization to crash—or the longer we wait before we ourselves bring it down—the messier will be the crash, and the worse things will be for those humans and nonhumans who live during it, and for those who come after.
Premise Eight: The needs of the natural world are more important than the needs of the economic system.
Another way to put premise Eight: Any economic or social system that does not benefit the natural communities on which it is based is unsustainable, immoral, and stupid. Sustainability, morality, and intelligence (as well as justice) requires the dismantling of any such economic or social system, or at the very least disallowing it from damaging your landbase.
Premise Nine: Although there will clearly some day be far fewer humans than there are at present, there are many ways this reduction in population could occur (or be achieved, depending on the passivity or activity with which we choose to approach this transformation). Some of these ways would be characterized by extreme violence and privation: nuclear armageddon, for example, would reduce both population and consumption, yet do so horrifically; the same would be true for a continuation of overshoot, followed by crash. Other ways could be characterized by less violence. Given the current levels of violence by this culture against both humans and the natural world, however, it's not possible to speak of reductions in population and consumption that do not involve violence and privation, not because the reductions themselves would necessarily involve violence, but because violence and privation have become the default. Yet some ways of reducing population and consumption, while still violent, would consist of decreasing the current levels of violence required, and caused by, the (often forced) movement of resources from the poor to the rich, and would of course be marked by a reduction in current violence against the natural world. Personally and collectively we may be able to both reduce the amount and soften the character of violence that occurs during this ongoing and perhaps longterm shift. Or we may not. But this much is certain: if we do not approach it actively—if we do not talk about our predicament and what we are going to do about it—the violence will almost undoubtedly be far more severe, the privation more extreme.
Premise Ten: The culture as a whole and most of its members are insane. The culture is driven by a death urge, an urge to destroy life.
Premise Eleven: From the beginning, this culture—civilization—has been a culture of occupation.
Premise Twelve: There are no rich people in the world, and there are no poor people. There are just people. The rich may have lots of pieces of green paper that many pretend are worth something—or their presumed riches may be even more abstract: numbers on hard drives at banks—and the poor may not. These "rich" claim they own land, and the "poor" are often denied the right to make that same claim. A primary purpose of the police is to enforce the delusions of those with lots of pieces of green paper. Those without the green papers generally buy into these delusions almost as quickly and completely as those with. These delusions carry with them extreme consequences in the real world.
Premise Thirteen: Those in power rule by force, and the sooner we break ourselves of illusions to the contrary, the sooner we can at least begin to make reasonable decisions about whether, when, and how we are going to resist.
Premise Fourteen: From birth on—and probably from conception, but I'm not sure how I'd make the case—we are individually and collectively enculturated to hate life, hate the natural world, hate the wild, hate wild animals, hate women, hate children, hate our bodies, hate and fear our emotions, hate ourselves. If we did not hate the world, we could not allow it to be destroyed before our eyes. If we did not hate ourselves, we could not allow our homes—and our bodies—to be poisoned.
Premise Fifteen: Love does not imply pacifism.
Premise Sixteen: The material world is primary. This does not mean that the spirit does not exist, nor that the material world is all there is. It means that spirit mixes with flesh. It means also that real world actions have real world consequences. It means we cannot rely on Jesus, Santa Claus, the Great Mother, or even the Easter Bunny to get us out of this mess. It means this mess really is a mess, and not just the movement of God's eyebrows. It means we have to face this mess ourselves. It means that for the time we are here on Earth—whether or not we end up somewhere else after we die, and whether we are condemned or privileged to live here—the Earth is the point. It is primary. It is our home. It is everything. It is silly to think or act or be as though this world is not real and primary. It is silly and pathetic to not live our lives as though our lives are real.
Premise Seventeen: It is a mistake (or more likely, denial) to base our decisions on whether actions arising from these will or won't frighten fence-sitters, or the mass of Americans.
Premise Eighteen: Our current sense of self is no more sustainable than our current use of energy or technology.
Premise Nineteen: The culture's problem lies above all in the belief that controlling and abusing the natural world is justifiable.
Premise Twenty: Within this culture, economics—not community well-being, not morals, not ethics, not justice, not life itself—drives social decisions.
Modification of Premise Twenty: Social decisions are determined primarily (and often exclusively) on the basis of whether these decisions will increase the monetary fortunes of the decision-makers and those they serve.
Re-modification of Premise Twenty: Social decisions are determined primarily (and often exclusively) on the basis of whether these decisions will increase the power of the decision-makers and those they serve.
Re-modification of Premise Twenty: Social decisions are founded primarily (and often exclusively) on the almost entirely unexamined belief that the decision-makers and those they serve are entitled to magnify their power and/or financial fortunes at the expense of those below.
Re-modification of Premise Twenty: If you dig to the heart of it—if there were any heart left—you would find that social decisions are determined primarily on the basis of how well these decisions serve the ends of controlling or destroying wild nature.
www.endgamethebook.org
Premise Two: Traditional communities do not often voluntarily give up or sell the resources on which their communities are based until their communities have been destroyed. They also do not willingly allow their landbases to be damaged so that other resources—gold, oil, and so on—can be extracted. It follows that those who want the resources will do what they can to destroy traditional communities.
Premise Three: Our way of living—industrial civilization—is based on, requires, and would collapse very quickly without persistent and widespread violence.
Premise Four: Civilization is based on a clearly defined and widely accepted yet often unarticulated hierarchy. Violence done by those higher on the hierarchy to those lower is nearly always invisible, that is, unnoticed. When it is noticed, it is fully rationalized. Violence done by those lower on the hierarchy to those higher is unthinkable, and when it does occur is regarded with shock, horror, and the fetishization of the victims.
Premise Five: The property of those higher on the hierarchy is more valuable than the lives of those below. It is acceptable for those above to increase the amount of property they control—in everyday language, to make money—by destroying or taking the lives of those below. This is called production. If those below damage the property of those above, those above may kill or otherwise destroy the lives of those below. This is called justice.
Premise Six: Civilization is not redeemable. This culture will not undergo any sort of voluntary transformation to a sane and sustainable way of living. If we do not put a halt to it, civilization will continue to immiserate the vast majority of humans and to degrade the planet until it (civilization, and probably the planet) collapses. The effects of this degradation will continue to harm humans and nonhumans for a very long time.
Premise Seven: The longer we wait for civilization to crash—or the longer we wait before we ourselves bring it down—the messier will be the crash, and the worse things will be for those humans and nonhumans who live during it, and for those who come after.
Premise Eight: The needs of the natural world are more important than the needs of the economic system.
Another way to put premise Eight: Any economic or social system that does not benefit the natural communities on which it is based is unsustainable, immoral, and stupid. Sustainability, morality, and intelligence (as well as justice) requires the dismantling of any such economic or social system, or at the very least disallowing it from damaging your landbase.
Premise Nine: Although there will clearly some day be far fewer humans than there are at present, there are many ways this reduction in population could occur (or be achieved, depending on the passivity or activity with which we choose to approach this transformation). Some of these ways would be characterized by extreme violence and privation: nuclear armageddon, for example, would reduce both population and consumption, yet do so horrifically; the same would be true for a continuation of overshoot, followed by crash. Other ways could be characterized by less violence. Given the current levels of violence by this culture against both humans and the natural world, however, it's not possible to speak of reductions in population and consumption that do not involve violence and privation, not because the reductions themselves would necessarily involve violence, but because violence and privation have become the default. Yet some ways of reducing population and consumption, while still violent, would consist of decreasing the current levels of violence required, and caused by, the (often forced) movement of resources from the poor to the rich, and would of course be marked by a reduction in current violence against the natural world. Personally and collectively we may be able to both reduce the amount and soften the character of violence that occurs during this ongoing and perhaps longterm shift. Or we may not. But this much is certain: if we do not approach it actively—if we do not talk about our predicament and what we are going to do about it—the violence will almost undoubtedly be far more severe, the privation more extreme.
Premise Ten: The culture as a whole and most of its members are insane. The culture is driven by a death urge, an urge to destroy life.
Premise Eleven: From the beginning, this culture—civilization—has been a culture of occupation.
Premise Twelve: There are no rich people in the world, and there are no poor people. There are just people. The rich may have lots of pieces of green paper that many pretend are worth something—or their presumed riches may be even more abstract: numbers on hard drives at banks—and the poor may not. These "rich" claim they own land, and the "poor" are often denied the right to make that same claim. A primary purpose of the police is to enforce the delusions of those with lots of pieces of green paper. Those without the green papers generally buy into these delusions almost as quickly and completely as those with. These delusions carry with them extreme consequences in the real world.
Premise Thirteen: Those in power rule by force, and the sooner we break ourselves of illusions to the contrary, the sooner we can at least begin to make reasonable decisions about whether, when, and how we are going to resist.
Premise Fourteen: From birth on—and probably from conception, but I'm not sure how I'd make the case—we are individually and collectively enculturated to hate life, hate the natural world, hate the wild, hate wild animals, hate women, hate children, hate our bodies, hate and fear our emotions, hate ourselves. If we did not hate the world, we could not allow it to be destroyed before our eyes. If we did not hate ourselves, we could not allow our homes—and our bodies—to be poisoned.
Premise Fifteen: Love does not imply pacifism.
Premise Sixteen: The material world is primary. This does not mean that the spirit does not exist, nor that the material world is all there is. It means that spirit mixes with flesh. It means also that real world actions have real world consequences. It means we cannot rely on Jesus, Santa Claus, the Great Mother, or even the Easter Bunny to get us out of this mess. It means this mess really is a mess, and not just the movement of God's eyebrows. It means we have to face this mess ourselves. It means that for the time we are here on Earth—whether or not we end up somewhere else after we die, and whether we are condemned or privileged to live here—the Earth is the point. It is primary. It is our home. It is everything. It is silly to think or act or be as though this world is not real and primary. It is silly and pathetic to not live our lives as though our lives are real.
Premise Seventeen: It is a mistake (or more likely, denial) to base our decisions on whether actions arising from these will or won't frighten fence-sitters, or the mass of Americans.
Premise Eighteen: Our current sense of self is no more sustainable than our current use of energy or technology.
Premise Nineteen: The culture's problem lies above all in the belief that controlling and abusing the natural world is justifiable.
Premise Twenty: Within this culture, economics—not community well-being, not morals, not ethics, not justice, not life itself—drives social decisions.
Modification of Premise Twenty: Social decisions are determined primarily (and often exclusively) on the basis of whether these decisions will increase the monetary fortunes of the decision-makers and those they serve.
Re-modification of Premise Twenty: Social decisions are determined primarily (and often exclusively) on the basis of whether these decisions will increase the power of the decision-makers and those they serve.
Re-modification of Premise Twenty: Social decisions are founded primarily (and often exclusively) on the almost entirely unexamined belief that the decision-makers and those they serve are entitled to magnify their power and/or financial fortunes at the expense of those below.
Re-modification of Premise Twenty: If you dig to the heart of it—if there were any heart left—you would find that social decisions are determined primarily on the basis of how well these decisions serve the ends of controlling or destroying wild nature.
www.endgamethebook.org
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
What I ate today
Because James doesn't care, I hope there is somebody out there who might...
Today I ate:
I big bowl of porridge with raisins and apple (I ate this in two sittings, one at home on my blue couch and the other infront of my computer at work - and it was still warm)
Two sticks of celery - a bit limp, but fine when cut into sections
Three sandwiches (or butter hams in Dutch) one with Marmite and two with cheese, mustard, tomato and spinach
A brownie (kindly donated by Tamar to the cause)
3 grapes
1 naartjie
2 small pieces of chocolate
2 really big bowls of pasta, pickled onions, tomato, pesto and feta
1 man siyed portion of cookies and vla
Good feed (with apologies to Al)
Today I ate:
I big bowl of porridge with raisins and apple (I ate this in two sittings, one at home on my blue couch and the other infront of my computer at work - and it was still warm)
Two sticks of celery - a bit limp, but fine when cut into sections
Three sandwiches (or butter hams in Dutch) one with Marmite and two with cheese, mustard, tomato and spinach
A brownie (kindly donated by Tamar to the cause)
3 grapes
1 naartjie
2 small pieces of chocolate
2 really big bowls of pasta, pickled onions, tomato, pesto and feta
1 man siyed portion of cookies and vla
Good feed (with apologies to Al)
Monday, November 03, 2008
Follow my blog
If you've got a blogger or google account, you can follow my blog. Check the link below right.
Basically Training
This past weekend I attended the Basic Action Training. It was in short, one of the most fun weekends ever!
The training started at 8pm on Friday night, and after having a scenic tour of North Amsterdam at night I eventually arrived at about 20:20. We started with an introduction and a slide show and short movie about some great Greenpeace actions. Check this out if you want to know what I'm talking about:
I couldn't tell you everything that went on, but it involved ropes boats and plenty action.
The Dutch warehouse is absolutely amazing with all sorts of equipment and loads of protective clothing. I learnt loads, and met some really amazing people. A professor of mine once told me that if I went into the type of work I'm in I would meet loads of nice people. It has proved correct a million times over, people who care about the future of the planet, people and life are amazing. The took us into what is often seen as a rather exclusive club and handed over the reigns completely. They were always there to help out, but where never patronising and never once tried to limit any of us. They merely said know your limits and admit when you are uncomfortable. Such a fantastically liberating approach to education. Most of what I learnt I learnt in reflection, and while I sometimes wish I had more information to do a "better" job, I think the lesson was all the more stronger having tried things and got them wrong.
Good times all round.
The training started at 8pm on Friday night, and after having a scenic tour of North Amsterdam at night I eventually arrived at about 20:20. We started with an introduction and a slide show and short movie about some great Greenpeace actions. Check this out if you want to know what I'm talking about:
I couldn't tell you everything that went on, but it involved ropes boats and plenty action.
The Dutch warehouse is absolutely amazing with all sorts of equipment and loads of protective clothing. I learnt loads, and met some really amazing people. A professor of mine once told me that if I went into the type of work I'm in I would meet loads of nice people. It has proved correct a million times over, people who care about the future of the planet, people and life are amazing. The took us into what is often seen as a rather exclusive club and handed over the reigns completely. They were always there to help out, but where never patronising and never once tried to limit any of us. They merely said know your limits and admit when you are uncomfortable. Such a fantastically liberating approach to education. Most of what I learnt I learnt in reflection, and while I sometimes wish I had more information to do a "better" job, I think the lesson was all the more stronger having tried things and got them wrong.
Good times all round.
EDMing it
On Thursday of last week I was privileged to attend the Executive Directors Meeting of Greenpeace in Berg en Dal in the Netherlands.
I was taking minutes, something that I don't find particularly easy, but luckily I had a very interesting subject to be minuting! Hearing all the EDs introducing themselves in all their different languages brought it home to me how diverse Greenpeace is and how it really does span the globe. To be united with fellow humans behind such a great cause was really moving.
I then of course spent the rest of the meeting getting over myself and shamelessly introducing myself to as many EDs as I could get my hands on!
Sitting on the train home I felt tired, but happy to be where I was. I am so happy to be working for a cause that I really believe in and am more than happy to put so much of my energy into.
I'm going to go away and try and find something to complain about for the next post (well actually the next post is already, so it'll have to be the übernächste).
I was taking minutes, something that I don't find particularly easy, but luckily I had a very interesting subject to be minuting! Hearing all the EDs introducing themselves in all their different languages brought it home to me how diverse Greenpeace is and how it really does span the globe. To be united with fellow humans behind such a great cause was really moving.
I then of course spent the rest of the meeting getting over myself and shamelessly introducing myself to as many EDs as I could get my hands on!
Sitting on the train home I felt tired, but happy to be where I was. I am so happy to be working for a cause that I really believe in and am more than happy to put so much of my energy into.
I'm going to go away and try and find something to complain about for the next post (well actually the next post is already, so it'll have to be the übernächste).
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Combat Monsanto
Monsanto, possibly the most evil corporation in my book (up there with Exxon-Mobil).
Combat Monsanto:
http://www.combat-monsanto.co.uk/
If you're keen for some direct action against them, give me a shout and we can organise something in SA in December... watch this space.
Combat Monsanto:
http://www.combat-monsanto.co.uk/
If you're keen for some direct action against them, give me a shout and we can organise something in SA in December... watch this space.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Positivity
We all know climate change is not good news, well, here is another climate change animation, but I really like the last credits and the positive message and the call to action. From wakeupfreakout.org.
Wake Up, Freak Out - then Get a Grip from Leo Murray on Vimeo.
Then as today has a had a bit of a positive fighting theme for me, here's a really cool song I found (song after the lyrics):
The Flobots - We Are Winning
[Spoken]
Rival gangsters sit down to plan an after-school program
A religious fanatic posts footage of an interfaith service project
A group of teenage boys watches a video of a father playing catch with his son
An adult film star paints thumbnail portraits of elderly couples, fully clothed and smiling
A record executive records a demo of his apology
A policeman makes reverse 911 calls instructing residents to take to the streets
A patriot reports for duty
She's wearing an orange jumpsuit and holding a picket sign
She's ashamed of her birthplace
But retreat is not an option
Women and children
Frontline
Logon
Tune in
Stand and be counted
Wounded
Stationed
In the belly of the vulture
Watch your back
Theres no civilians
Women children
Frontline
Listen
Consider this a distant early warning
The fires imminent
Pollution gathering dust particles
Funneling through smokestacks
Airwaves
Bandwidth
Disinformation tube fed
Check the label
Delete the virus
Alert the masses
[spoken]
Butterfly wing crosswinds send black hawks toward hurricane survivors
Roses sprout from empty lots and sidewalk cracks
Pacifist guerrillas move undetected through concrete jungles
New forms are beginning to take shape
Once-occupied minds are activating
People are waking up
The insurgency is alive and well
Rise of the flobots
Portrait of the new american insurgent
Rattle and shake the foundation of the world order
Assembly line consent
Resist
Refuse
Inform
Create
Direct loved ones to the trenches
Suit up
Forge rubble into fortresses
Plaster
Cloth
Aluminum
Broken porcelain
Rusted platinum
Burn bloodstains from decompressed diamonds
Hammer the battlecry into braille-studded armor
[spoken]
We are building up a new world
Do not sit idly by
Do not remain neutral
Do not rely on this broadcast alone
We are only as strong as our signal
There is a war going on for your mind
If you are thinking you are winning
Resistance is victory
Defeat is impossible
Your weapons are already in hand
Reach within you and find the means by which to gain your freedom
Fight with tools
Your fate and that of everyone you know depends on it
Wake Up, Freak Out - then Get a Grip from Leo Murray on Vimeo.
Then as today has a had a bit of a positive fighting theme for me, here's a really cool song I found (song after the lyrics):
The Flobots - We Are Winning
Rival gangsters sit down to plan an after-school program
A religious fanatic posts footage of an interfaith service project
A group of teenage boys watches a video of a father playing catch with his son
An adult film star paints thumbnail portraits of elderly couples, fully clothed and smiling
A record executive records a demo of his apology
A policeman makes reverse 911 calls instructing residents to take to the streets
A patriot reports for duty
She's wearing an orange jumpsuit and holding a picket sign
She's ashamed of her birthplace
But retreat is not an option
Women and children
Frontline
Logon
Tune in
Stand and be counted
Wounded
Stationed
In the belly of the vulture
Watch your back
Theres no civilians
Women children
Frontline
Listen
Consider this a distant early warning
The fires imminent
Pollution gathering dust particles
Funneling through smokestacks
Airwaves
Bandwidth
Disinformation tube fed
Check the label
Delete the virus
Alert the masses
[spoken]
Butterfly wing crosswinds send black hawks toward hurricane survivors
Roses sprout from empty lots and sidewalk cracks
Pacifist guerrillas move undetected through concrete jungles
New forms are beginning to take shape
Once-occupied minds are activating
People are waking up
The insurgency is alive and well
Rise of the flobots
Portrait of the new american insurgent
Rattle and shake the foundation of the world order
Assembly line consent
Resist
Refuse
Inform
Create
Direct loved ones to the trenches
Suit up
Forge rubble into fortresses
Plaster
Cloth
Aluminum
Broken porcelain
Rusted platinum
Burn bloodstains from decompressed diamonds
Hammer the battlecry into braille-studded armor
[spoken]
We are building up a new world
Do not sit idly by
Do not remain neutral
Do not rely on this broadcast alone
We are only as strong as our signal
There is a war going on for your mind
If you are thinking you are winning
Resistance is victory
Defeat is impossible
Your weapons are already in hand
Reach within you and find the means by which to gain your freedom
Fight with tools
Your fate and that of everyone you know depends on it
New Shoes
On the weekend I finally bought new shoes. The reason I finally got round to buying shoes is that I my current shoes (the Nikes I blackspotted in this blog a while ago) have developed lots of holes in the bottom of them and are not ideal for winter weather (which has now firmly set in!).
When I got to Berlin I went to buy proper blackspot shoes. Blackspots are made by adbusters, are made of hemp and recycled rubber in a fair labour factory in Portugal and with the added bonus that when you buy a pair you get a say in what the organisation does with their profits. This last factor, that of looking at different ways of running a company, or how a company can be run for good is the thing that really interested me. While I was in Berlin I tried on the biggest pair of blackspots they had, but they were to small for me, so hence the Nikes...
Now that the Nikes have worn out, I'm glad to say the blackspots fit (and they now come in red). So I have a brand new pair of blackspots and am very happy with them.
I did think about getting leather shoes though as apparently hemp shoes don't last very long, but then of course there's the animal argument, but I think I might be convinced to buy them. At least now I get to support the kind of capitalism I'm into and wear cool red shoes!
When I got to Berlin I went to buy proper blackspot shoes. Blackspots are made by adbusters, are made of hemp and recycled rubber in a fair labour factory in Portugal and with the added bonus that when you buy a pair you get a say in what the organisation does with their profits. This last factor, that of looking at different ways of running a company, or how a company can be run for good is the thing that really interested me. While I was in Berlin I tried on the biggest pair of blackspots they had, but they were to small for me, so hence the Nikes...
Now that the Nikes have worn out, I'm glad to say the blackspots fit (and they now come in red). So I have a brand new pair of blackspots and am very happy with them.
I did think about getting leather shoes though as apparently hemp shoes don't last very long, but then of course there's the animal argument, but I think I might be convinced to buy them. At least now I get to support the kind of capitalism I'm into and wear cool red shoes!
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