Monday, October 31, 2011

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Saturday, October 29, 2011

The Rock

I really enjoyed my "unplugged" day yesterday. Gotta do that more often.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

No Post Tomorrow



You can almost hear them, the 1% laughing their pompous asses off about all those hippies in the street. Well, come Saturday morning, maybe they won’t be laughing quite so loudly. Tomorrow, Friday October 28th is global Shut Down The System day. At midnight tonight, thousands of people around the world will be voluntarily disengaging for 24 hours as a show of solidarity with the #Occupy protesters in Zuccatti Park and all the other sites. Participants will call in sick to work, turn off their TV, phone and internet, buy nothing that is not absolutely necessary (food, medicine, etc.) and do NOTHING that generates money into The System. The best way to get the fat cats’ attention is to kick ‘em where it hurts, right in their gilded pocketbooks. This quiet, peaceful form of individual protest will undoubtedly result in lost revenue for corporations and big banks everywhere. And speaking of banks, have you considered moving your money? This past spring, we took all of our dough, every last copper penny of it, out of the big bank in Nanaimo and put it into our local member-owned credit union. I gotta say it’s the best banking situation I’ve ever had.

A recent Time magazine poll indicates that 54% of all Americans have a favourable view of the #Occupy movement. I suspect the numbers are similar or even higher here in Canada. And everyone saw how many people hit the streets in Europe so it’s clear they are on side. #Occupy, in all its forms and permutations, represents the beginnings of a very real opportunity for the people of this beleaguered planet, everyman, to actually change the arc of history. Let's roll!

So, there’ll be no post here tomorrow. I’ll be shutting down my computer (and everything else) and spending the day with my wife doing absolutely nada to support the corporate system. We plan to read, take a walk, maybe a nap, have a candlelight dinner and generally enjoy our day together. We’re going to a concert in the evening. Our pal Tim Harrison is playing at Agi Hall but Ticketmaster isn’t in the mix. The funds will pass straight from our wallet to his which is how it ought to be.


Finally, as the holiday season approaches, you might want to think about buying local. Get at few CDs directly from the musicians. Buy art. Shop exclusively at mom and pop shops and avoid corporate trinkets. Pick up some gift cards from a favourite neighbourhood restaurant. We all have lots of giving options that don't feed the greed. I encourage you to use them and pay in cash if you can. Every time you swipe that plastic, the bad guys get their 3%.

LINKS

Shut Down The System Day

YouTube

Resources and Press

Adbusters

Money As Debt

Occupied in North America

Occupy Wall Street slideshow

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Hmmmmmm


Spotted in Folklife Village

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Fresh Air


The Hummer had Texas plates so I bet the dog was thinking "Man, this place doesn't smell anything like home!"

Monday, October 24, 2011

A Work Of Art Masquerading As A Bench


The photo really doesn't do it justice. This yellow cedar Japanese-style bench is absolutely gorgeous and a comfortable place to park your bum as well. Handmade on Gabriola by Ted Johnson who came from Liverpool over a quarter of a century ago.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Liz


Liz is known to all as a friend of all things furred and feathered. She volunteers for several local organizations, most notably Gabriola Rescue of Wildlife Society.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Rehearsal


Most homes in this part of the world have skylights which create nice photo possibilities all day every day.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Saburo


Playing some jazz for the launch of Lulu's Local at Village Foods

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Monday, October 17, 2011

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

More Art Less Ammo


Spotted near The Legends. Locals will know what this is all about

Monday, October 10, 2011

Thanksgiving


Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends. So much to be grateful for this year, including plenty of delicious local produce.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Sunday Signage > 20


The studio tour continues. Stop #20 is on Island View Drive

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Studio Tour


The big idea this weekend (besides Thanksgiving dinner) is the annual Studio Tour sponsored by the Gabriola Arts Council and featuring open house for the island's artists. Heavy off-island traffic today bodes well for sales. This is the biggest weekend of the year for our painters, sculptors, artisans, etc. so everyone wishes them well. It's all about boosting the local economy and ensuring that our community of artists gets to continue doing what they all do so well.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Reno


Housing starts are down and the real estate market is sluggish but lots of folks, including us, are doing renovations this fall.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Dragons


In the community garden at The Commons

Monday, October 3, 2011

Saturday, October 1, 2011