Freedom of expression and freedom of speech aren't really important unless they're heard...It's hard for me to stay silent when I keep hearing that peace is only attainable through war. And there's nothing more scary than watching ignorance in action. So I dedicated this Emmy to all the people who feel compelled to speak out and not afraid to speak to power and won't shut up and refuse to be silenced. - Tommy Smothers

Nobody Brought Peace to Our Times!
Nobody for President

Nobody's

Alternatives for the Presidential Election

Statistics show an increase in Voter Apathy. Perhaps it is time to consider alternatives to the Presidential Election?

(1) - Put "None of the Above" on voter ballots.

(2) - Change requirements for President.

(a) Require prospective candidates to take an extremely hard civil service exam.

(b) Top 100 scores of exam move on to participate in "Prezolympics".

(c) Top 10 winners from Olympics become candidates and are entitled to campaign.

(d) Winner of the election becomes President.

(e) ...and Gets a device implanted in their brain that explodes if they tell a lie.

(3) - Eliminate office of President and hire a Ribbon Cutter.

(a) Money saved on elections is used to pay off the national debt.

(4) - Declare election day a holiday.

(5) - Tie election participation to jury duty

(a) Let ONLY those who can vote but don't, be placed on the jury rolls.

http://www.nobodyforpresident.org/alter.html

 

Thanksgiving Is A Celebration of Genocide
The End of American Thanksgivings
The Black Commentator - Issue 66

Nobody but Americans celebrates Thanksgiving. It is reserved by history and the intent of "the founders" as the supremely white American holiday, the most ghoulish event on the national calendar. No Halloween of the imagination can rival the exterminationist reality that was the genesis, and remains the legacy, of the American Thanksgiving. It is the most loathsome, humanity-insulting day of the year - a pure glorification of racist barbarity.

We at [Black Commentator] are thankful that the day grows nearer when the almost four centuries-old abomination will be deprived of its reason for being: white supremacy. Then we may all eat and drink in peace and gratitude for the blessings of humanity's deliverance from the rule of evil men.

Thanksgiving is much more than a lie - if it were that simple, an historical correction of the record of events in 1600s Massachusetts would suffice to purge the "flaw" in the national mythology. But Thanksgiving is not just a twisted fable, and the mythology it nurtures is itself inherently evil. The real-life events - subsequently revised - were perfectly understood at the time as the first, definitive triumphs of the genocidal European project in New England. The near-erasure of Native Americans in Massachusetts and, soon thereafter, from most of the remainder of the northern English colonial seaboard was the true mission of the Pilgrim enterprise - Act One of the American Dream. African Slavery commenced contemporaneously - an overlapping and ultimately inseparable Act Two. [Continue reading at]:

http://www.blackcommentator.com/66/66_cover_thanksgiving.html

Thanksgiving, Celebration of Genocide
Native American Holocaust Absolution by Pilgrims

Skipping past the signing of the Mayflower Compact, the first concerns of the new arrivals were finding something to eat and a place to settle. After anchoring off Cape Cod on November 11, 1620, a small party was sent ashore to explore. Pilgrims in every sense of the word, they promptly stumbled into a Nauset graveyard where they found baskets of corn which had been left as gifts for the deceased. The gathering of this unexpected bounty was interrupted by the angry Nauset warriors, and the hapless Pilgrims beat a hasty retreat back to their boat with little to show for their efforts. Shaken but undaunted by their welcome to the New World, the Pilgrims continued across Cape Cod Bay and decided to settle, of all places, at the site of the now-deserted Wampanoag village of Patuxet. There they sat for the next few months in crude shelters - cold, sick and slowly starving to death. Half did not survive that terrible first winter. The Wampanoag were aware of the English but chose to avoid contact them for the time being.

In keeping with the strange sequence of unlikely events, Samoset, a Pemaquid (Abenaki) sachem from Maine hunting in Massachusetts, came across the growing disaster at Plymouth. Having acquired some English from contact with English fishermen and the short-lived colony at the mouth of the Kennebec River in 1607, he walked into Plymouth in March and startled the Pilgrims with "Hello Englishmen." Samoset stayed the night surveying the situation and left the next morning. He soon returned with Squanto. Until he succumbed to sickness and joined his people in 1622, Squanto devoted himself to helping the Pilgrims who were now living at the site of his old village. Whatever his motivations, with great kindness and patience, he taught the English the skills they needed to survive, and in so doing, assured the destruction of his own people. [Continue Reading at]:

http://www.tolatsga.org/wampa.html

Robbie Basho (Wounded Knee) - 1975 - Click

Laura Allan (Native American Ceremonial Song) - 1975 - Click

Podcasts

I'm Sorry You Have Taken So Long to Say You're Sorry
by David Pego

"I think America clearly knows the atrocities - the holocaust, the land theft, the boarding school experience completely wiping out the language and cultures of our Native brothers and sisters."

http://www.imdiversity.com/villages/native/politics_law/pego_apology_bill.asp

Native American Issues & Causes & NDN News Website - http://www.ndnnews.com/

The Thanksgiving Myth
by John Two-Hawks

Let me begin by stating that thousands of years before the 'official' Thanksgiving Day was proclaimed by Governor Winthrop of the Massachussetts Bay Colony in 1637, North American Indigenous people across the continent had celebrated seasons of Thanksgiving.

'Thanksgiving' is a very ancient concept to American Indian nations. The big problem with the American Thanksgiving holiday is its false association with American Indian people. The infamous 'Indians and pilgrims' myth.

It is good to celebrate Thanksgiving, to be thankful for your blessings. It is not good to distort history, to falsely portray the origin of this holiday and lie about the truth of its actual inception. Here are some accurate historical facts about the true origin of this American holiday that may interest you [Continue Reading at]:

http://www.nativecircle.com/mlmThanksgivingmyth.html

"In an 1868 treaty, drafted at Fort Laramie in Sioux country, the United States established the Black Hills as part of the Great Sioux Reservation, set aside for exclusive use by the Sioux people. However, after the discovery of gold there in 1874, the United States confiscated the land in 1877. To this day, ownership of the Black Hills remains the subject of a legal dispute between the U.S. government and the Sioux."

 

Lake County Blues Allstars

November 9, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Blues Allstars at the Saw Shop Thursday

By Wellman Moody

KELSEYVILLE – The Lake County Blues Allstars play Thursday, November 13, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm at the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro Restaurant & Bar.

The rhythm and blues quintet plays the second Thursday of each month at the Saw Shop. Featured are Lake County stalwart Jim Williams on guitar, harmonica and vocal; popular blues chanteuse Neon Napalm on percussion and vocal; and ‘60s legend Mike Wilhelm on guitar and vocal. Filling in on bass, for the absent Jon Hopkins, is Bill McMenomy from Bottle Rock Blues & Rhythm Band. Rounding out the band is former Street Dogs drummer Mark Phillips, also a member of Bottle Rock along with Napalm and Wilhelm.

The Saw Shop Gallery Bistro displays fine art by local artists and is known as one of Lake County’s top restaurants, featuring steak, seafood and pasta as well as nightly specials and a full bar. Located at 3825 Main St., Kelseyville, it is open Tuesday through Saturday from 3:00 p.m. and has live music on Thursday night. Telephone 707-278-0129 for dinner reservations. For more information go to http://www.sawshopbistro.com

Benefit for ASIFA-SF
Balboa Theatre, Sunday, Nov. 2, 7 PM

THREE TIME OSCAR WINNER RICHARD WILLIAMS
WILL TALK ABOUT THE PRINCIPLES OF ANIMATION AND
ILLUSTRATE THEM WITH EXCERPTS FROM HIS NEW DVD SET
The Animator's Survival Kit - Animated
Admission, $9 - ($6.50 seniors/kids)
3630 Balboa at 37th Ave in SF: http://www.balboamovies.com/
Visit Richard Williams' web site: http://www.theanimatorssurvivalkit.com
ASIFA-SF NEWSLETTER

Respect Yourself
by The Staple Singers

If you disrespect anybody that'ya run in to -- how in the world do you think anybody's s'posed to respect you

If you don't give a heck 'bout the man with the bible in his hand, y'all -- just get out the way, and let the gentleman do his thing

You the kind of gentleman that want everything your way, yeah -- take the sheet off your face boy, it's a brand new day

Respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself
If you don't respect yourself
Ain't nobody gonna give a good ca_hoot, na na na na...
Respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself

If you're walking 'round think'n that the world owes you something cause you're here -- you goin' out the world backwards like you did when ya first come here, yeah

Keep talkin' about the president, won't stop air pollution -- put your hand on your mouth when you cough, that'll help the solution

Oh, you cuss around women folk, you don't even know their name, nah -- then you dumb enough to think that'll make you a big ol'man, yeah

Respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself
If you don't respect yourself
Ain't nobody gonna give a good ca_hoot, na na na na
Respect yourself, respect yourself..

Remnant of Paradise [Continued]

xyzzy
[Out of Sequence]

You are standing at the end of a road before a small brick building. Around you is a forest. A small stream flows out of the building and down a gully.
>

The above text is the entrance to the first computer Adventure game (Colossal Cave) I played on a PDP-8 with a teletype attached:

http://www.psych.usyd.edu.au/pdp-8/

Having done a lot of (system) work on the IBM 360/20 during the mid '60s, I found this game (mid '70s) to be incredibly useful for teaching certain aspects of computer technology and 'all' of my (computer) students were required to complete the game during their first month of class.

Game History

The Crowther and Woods 'Colossal Cave Adventure' game
Here's where it all began...

There were other text computer games before Adventure, such as STARTREK and WUMPUS, but this was the first of its kind; the first text "interactive fiction" game. It may seem outdated and quaint by today's standards, sort of like seeing the Wright brothers' original flyer parked next to a Boeing 747, but many of us remember it fondly. [Continue Reading]

Adventure game
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An adventure game is a type of video game characterized by investigation, exploration, puzzle-solving, interaction with game characters, and a focus on narrative rather than reflex-based challenges. The term originates from the 1970s game Adventure,[1][2] and retains a narrow definition based on the style of gameplay, and not the theme or subject matter (unlike adventure films and adventure novels).

The adventure genre's focus on story allows it to draw heavily from other narrative-based media, such as literature and film. Adventure games encompass a wide variety of literary genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mystery, horror, and comedy. Nearly all adventure games are designed for a single player, since the heavy emphasis on story and character makes multi-player design difficult.

The genre's popularity peaked during the late 1980s and early 1990s, when many considered it to be among the most technically advanced genres, and it is now sometimes considered to be a niche genre.[3] According to the Entertainment Software Association, in 2007 Adventure Games comprised 4.3% of Video Game Super Genres by units sold in the US[4] (up from 3.4% in 2006[5]) and 5% of best-selling Computer Game Super Genres[4] (down from 5.7% in 2006[5]), although it is not clear how the Super Genre was defined.

Games that fuse adventure elements with action gameplay elements are sometimes referred to as adventure games (a popular example is Nintendo's Legend of Zelda series). Adventure game purists regard this as incorrect and call such hybrids action-adventures. In Europe, games which fuse action and adventure elements are sometimes called "arcade adventure" games. The term "adventure game" is used with the same meaning in North America, Europe, and Japan, and is regarded as pure genre in all regions.

Play Adventure? (Free)

Download for Apple MAC:

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/20606

Download for Windows PC:

http://www.download.com/GUI-Colossal-Cave/3000-7564_4-10594541.html

Play On-line (Requires JAVA being turned on.):

http://www.astrodragon.com/zplet/advent.html

 

PDF Malware Hits Acrobat Reader Flaw

by Megan Burger, PC Advisor

PC Tools is reporting an increase in PDF-based malware, some of which can evade antivirus software.

According to a PC Tools blog posting, the security vendor's user community is seeing a slew of rigged PDF files attacking various buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. The PDF malware attacks target the newest publicly known Adobe Acrobat Reader vulnerability. Adobe issued a patch last week.

On some occasions users are duped into downloading malicious files that appear to be Microsoft software updates. More often, users appear to be downloading silent malicious installers.

Worryingly, two of the downloaded, packed files behave in a way that evades antivirus file scanning.

The PC Tools blog posting says: "A chunk of the standard download and execute shellcode that we are currently seeing pulls a file from hxxp://ascoprguide. net/lel / load.php?xpl=pdf, renames it as c:\\U.exe, and runs it on the victim's system. This "U.exe" then runs and installs other adware and spyware related components."

http://www.pcworld.com/article/153955/article.html

Clown Can't Change Wall Street's Frown
via Paul Krassner

Yesterday morning, the New York Stock Exchange's opening bell was rung by Grandma the Clown from the Big Apple Circus

http://gothamist.com/2008/11/14/clown_rings_opening_bell_of_nyse.php

The Post has details

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11152008/news/regionalnews/lets_send_in_the_clowns_138830.htm

on what happened next: Master of Ceremonies Carrie "Harvey and Grandma wandered the floor trying to spread joy and merriment, (placing funny red noses on exchange officials) to touch the funny bones of even the most shaken traders."

Alas, though stocks attempted a rally, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 337 points

http://www.cnbc.com/id/27721679

(-3.8%), while the S&P 500 fell 4.2% and the Nasdaq dropped 5%, thanks to businesses' diminished outlooks and news of layoffs (Sun Microsystems is laying off 6,000 workers, Citigroup may cut up 35,000). One trader told the Post that the clown didn't help, "There was no lighter mood on the floor. Living this day in and day out is not fun."

Above Image Recorded by: ARPSN-1 - Cobb, California
Magnitude 4.4 - Petrolia, CA

Time Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 9:43:15 PM (PST)
Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 5:43:15 (UTC)
Distance from Petrolia, CA - 27 km (17 miles) W (268 degrees)
Ferndale, CA - 41 km (26 miles) SW (225 degrees)
Rio Dell, CA - 47 km (29 miles) WSW (245 degrees)
Eureka, CA - 64 km (40 miles) SW (216 degrees)
Sacramento, CA - 333 km (207 miles) NW (307 degrees)
Coordinates 40 deg. 19.1 min. N (40.318N), 124 deg. 36.3 min. W (124.606W)
Depth 19.5 km (12.1 miles)
Location Quality Fair
Location Quality Parameters Nst= 29, Nph= 29, Dmin=26.6 km, Rmss=0.09 sec, Erho=0.9 km, Erzz=0.3 km, Gp=234 degrees
Event ID# nc51211307 - http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/Quakes/nc51211307.htm

ARTE DI OPPOSIZIONE
20 Novembre 2008

HAPPENING:

"ARTE DI OPPOSIZIONE" E INAUGURAZIONE DELLA LIBRERIA SHAKE

GIOVEDI' 20 NOVEMBRE 2008 DALLE ORE 19 ALLE 23

Nello Spazio Pubblico Shake, Viale Bligny 42 Milano

A partire dalle 19 happening di presentazione del libro

Arte di opposizione a cura di Tommaso Tozzi

Programma

dalle 19 alle 23

- aperitivo futurista condito da un Contest a premi di Slam Poetry, a cura di
Davide Fant.

Poetry Slam: Resistenza poetica urbana

Showcase di poetry slam: un assaggio della scena slam underground milanese:
Lucio Tosi, Mario Frighi e Marco Bin, e con la partecipazione di Voltus, "the
next thing" dell'hiphop-poetry visionaria. Maestro di Cerimonia e consolle:
Skrim + Giucas Falchetto(Scighera Poetry Slam)

- presentazione multimediale del libro, a cura di Tommaso Tozzi, professore di
arte multimediale presso le Accademie delle Belle Arti di Firenze e Carrara

- Street art, graffiti e hip hop a Milano dagli anni Ottanta a oggi, con
interventi di Atomo, Airone, Kay-one, Flycat (con rap live), Whish e altri artisti

LA LIBRERIA

L'evento sara anche occasione per inaugurare la Libreria Shake - Interno 4.
Finalmente dopo anni di vuoto, un luogo a Milano dove reperire i materiali delle
culture alternative, indipendenti e artistiche d'avanguardia.

Emacs!

- gomma.tv - ENGLISH

*Quando*: giovedi 20 novembre -- ore 19.00-23:00
*Dove*: Spazio Pubblico ShaKe -- Viale Bligny 42 -- Milano
*Informazioni*:info at shake punto it, www punto shake punto it,, tel.: 02/58317306
*Ufficio Stampa*: Elena Bari -- eba at fastwebnet punto it, cell.:328 9781241

Magnitude 2.9 - Lakeport, Ca. recorded by ARPSN-1, Cobb, Ca.

Magnitude 2.9 - duration magnitude (Md)

Time Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 3:10:06 AM (PST)

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 11:10:06 (UTC)

Distance from Lakeport, CA - 16 km (10 miles) WSW (247 degrees)
Talmage, CA - 17 km (11 miles) SSE (156 degrees)
North Lakeport, CA - 18 km (11 miles) SW (235 degrees)
Ukiah, CA - 21 km (13 miles) SSE (149 degrees)
San Francisco City Hall, CA - 147 km (91 miles) NNW (337 degrees)

Coordinates 38 deg. 59.4 min. N (38.991N), 123 deg. 5.1 min. W (123.084W)

Depth 2.5 km (1.6 miles)

Location Quality Excellent

Location Quality Parameters Nst= 49, Nph= 49, Dmin=1 km, Rmss=0.05 sec, Erho=0.2 km, Erzz=0.4 km, Gp=32.4 degrees

Event ID# nc40226386 http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/Quakes/nc40226386.htm

Neighbors, geothermal plant
to have followup meeting Thursday

Written by Elizabeth Larson
Wednesday, 19 November 2008

COBB -- A followup meeting for community members concerned about the operation of the Bottle Rock Power Plant will be held this Thursday and will offer an update on progress in dealing with a variety of issues.

The meeting will take place at the Little Red Schoolhouse on Cobb, 15780 Bottle Rock Road, at 6 p.m. Thursday.

An initial gathering was held at the schoolhouse on Oct. 30, in which neighbors of the plant -- which reopened at the end of March 2007 -- made it clear they were tired of waiting for the plant's operators to finally address ongoing issues such as noise and concerns over potentially hazardous materials being stored on the property in drill sump ponds.

One of the most outspoken neighbors, David Coleman, shared his concerns at that meeting, and plans to attend Thursday as well.

Coleman, who said he "wasn't very reassured" by the last meeting, said he plans to put together information packages for several agencies to explain the neighbor's main problems.

While he said the plant's sound levels are bothersome, "Our core group is just mainly concerned with the toxicity of the material."

The material in question is what comes out of the drills. Coleman said tons of material comes out of the 18- to 20-inch drilling holes that go down about two miles into the ground in pursuit of the geothermal resource.

At the October meeting Coleman said officials confirmed for the first time that those materials might be toxic.

"I thought the county's explanations were really quite pathetic," Coleman said.

Water safety was another issue that came out on Oct. 30, with some plant neighbors saying their water wells had been contaminated.

Coleman said a lot of people pull water from Kelsey Creek, and he's concerned because the area's water also flows to Clear Lake.

Supervisor Rob Brown, who has put the meetings together, said the plant's management is "working to try to mitigate some of the concerns expressed at the meeting,"

Since Oct. 30 he has had discussions with county Community Development Director Rick Coel and Larry Bandt, vice president of engineering for Oski Energy, which manages the power plant for its owners, regarding sound control.

Speed issues on High Valley Road, where neighbors said plant trucks were driving too fast, causing safety problems and destroying the road, also are being dealt with, said Brown.

One potential development on the county side is consideration of hiring a geothermal consultant.

Hamilton Hess, chair of the Friends of Cobb Mountain, suggested on Oct. 30 that the county have a geothermal point person, which the county had in the past.

Brown said the suggestion was a good one, and the county is now looking at hiring planning consultant Melissa Floyd -- who has worked with both the county and city of Clearlake -- to fill that role. He said state funds would help pay for Floyd's services.

If the board approves hiring Floyd, she would monitor geothermal projects, said Brown. That would include coordinating contacts between county and state agencies -- Environmental Health, Fish and Game and Air Quality -- that have a role in permitting and overseeing such operations.

Floyd also would be the person community members could take concerns to, Brown said.

He'll introduce Floyd and the idea of hiring her to the power plant's neighbors Thursday.

http://lakeconews.com/content/view/6401/764/

Dick and Tom Smothers

Smothers Brothers’ Legacy: Introducing The Doors, Ike & Tina and the Counterculture

by Ted Drozdowski

Through the prism of 40 years The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour looks quaint. The just-released four CD-set of TV shows from their third season in 1968 captures Tom and Dick Smothers in their Nehru jackets trading schticky banter, and among their guests are Vegas legend Liberace and English stage actor Anthony Newley.

But there was another side to the Smothers — which ultimately got them banned from the air. The program, which ran from '67 to '69 was initially just one of the era's variety shows. It rapidly became a pipeline for youth culture, channeling groundbreaking musicians, anti-Vietnam war sentiment and reefer-fueled cosmic consciousness into America's living rooms every Sunday night.

Everybody from Steppenwolf to the Muppets got a big break on the Smothers Brothers' show. African-American R&B musicians including Ike and Tina Turner

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/Smothers-Brothers/

Natural Instincts
A documentary on natural building using straw-bale construction.
[YouTube Video - Ed. Note: EXCELLENT Video]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKS5oEdpSp4

Category: Nonprofits & Activism

Tags: straw bale natural building green alternative materials fibromyalgia

Graffiti Research Lab

Bici batte auto a Libreria ShaKe
Mercoledi 26 Novembre dalle 19:00

Presso lo Spazio Pubblico / Libreria ShaKe, in viale Bligny 42 (Milano), mercoledi 26 novembre dalle 19:00, serata all'insegna delle due ruote e dell'adrenalina urbana con la presentazione del del Dvd "Bici batte auto. Creativi & guerrieri urbani su due ruote" a cura delle migliori firme mondiali della scena del radical biking, con musica hardcore e tecno, presentato dal curatore e regista Naoto, Menthos del negozio Ciclistica e dal sito Milanofixed, che costituiscono la memoria storica, il passato e il futuro dell'attivismo ciclistico a Milano.

Contributi video di filmmaker-ciclisti di culto americani come Lucas Brunelle, Rob Zverina, Burd Phillips. Foto di Flavia Faranda.

Graditi ospiti Brendt Barbur e gli organizzatori del Bicycle Film Festival, il piu importante festival al mondo sulle biciclette, che presenteranno l'edizione 2008 - Emacs! - gomma.tv - ENGLISH

Just Got A Phone Call From Adobe

They are shipping my upgrade and said, "I have read through your web case and see that it went unanswered, for this I apologize. I am leaving this page here as a reminder:

Am I Being Held Hostage by Adobe?

3 Weeks Since I Have Heard From Adobe

by ~@~
200811.26
Tag : Don't get even, get odd (#5) Addendum 200811.26

Some may have noticed lack of updates at a number of sites since the end of October.

The reason is multi layered and starts and ends with Adobe Systems Inc., 345 Park Ave., San Jose, California - 408-536-6000.

Phase one was replacing a nine year old PPC dual 500 Mhz Mac G4 tower with an (Early 2008) 17" MBP.

Phase two was upgrading my PPC based software to work with the newer Intel based MBP, so I started with packages I use most and placed my order with a small company I favor (now past tense).

If one has not read it, there are a number of ways I do things listed on these pages, where one will discover I attempt to do one thing at a time, and do it as best as I am able ... before moving to the next project ..or 'thing'. There are also rules that apply when there is nothing available to do on a current project, and usually is applied from a 'list' of things 'to do'.

The order and delivery from the small company were fine; however, due to a follow-up email I received from them, THEY lost a customer (imo) due to an inability to read?

The installation appeared to go smoothly -- then an automatic update started and my screen was now telling me there was a 521.8 MB download on its way from the Adobe server.

Those with high speed Internet have probably shrugged by now, but I'm on dial-up and have been asking for something faster from AT&T (or their previous incarnations), for 17 years to no avail, and this download tied up the phone and 95% of my available bandwidth for three days; i.e., why there was no response to all email received.

When the file finished downloading and installed, I assumed it was my new, upgraded CS4 Web Premium, programs, but that was not what happened.

The 521.8 MB file, according to one piece of documentation, that took me a week to locate, said this file was prepping my current files for a new upgrade... and upgraded one of my programs to the new version I purchased; but not a program I use.

A quick search of the net told me the new upgrades are somewhere between 4 and 6 GB or possibly 11 GB, and that it took some folks up to four hours on a high-speed connect, to download them.

The above translates to WEEKS via dial-up downloading for me....and there is still the Mac 32/64 bit question vs. WHAT IS FAIR?

What to do....

In the fine print of another obscure documentation file it says one can obtain copies of disks if there is a dial-up download situation and provided a set of guidelines, which I followed, only to end up in dreaded customer service at the end of October.

Customer service were not clear in their instruction regarding Proof of Purchase and failed to mention they wanted a picture of the invoice, rather than the electronic attachment (I) included.

On getting back to me (each step took THEM 48 hours and me about 5 minutes) and stating I had submitted my information wrong, I sent customer service pictures of every piece of (their) registered software I own, showing each step of my previous approved upgrade path, and provided the invoice 'they' wanted.

On November 5, 2008 I received an acknowledgement stating I had submitted the correct documents 'they could now print and attach to my case,' and told me they would get back to me with a NO email if I did not qualify or ship me my stuff on approval.

At this point I should mention it specifically says there will be response from customer service within 24 to 48 hours and it has been OVER THREE WEEKS, and I have no clue where I stand with this problem!

So... here are the 'nutshell' facts. The software is bought and paid for, I have the absolute upgrade path with all original receipts and registration numbers, and all of my current software, which qualifies me for this upgrade, is registered with the company.

Here is why I say I am being held hostage. There is a very large and lengthy job that should have been done by the first of November. If I do the job on my old software I will need to re-do it when the new software arrives, and I was trying to stave off doing it twice, but... I sit here and wait!

Finally, I live in a remote rural area and since I do not know if there will be a delivery or not, and recalling I had to sign for previous shipped orders from this company, I am, more or less, confined to stay on the property during work hours... else, if I missed delivery, I would have to make a two hour drive to the delivery company to obtain it.

Maybe I am not the only one ???

Adobe Customer Service Sucks
http://creativebits.org/adobe_customer_service_sucks

I Have Not Been Able to Review My Customer Support Case Number for One Week

Rhapsody and blues
By John Siracusa

By now you have heard the news: Photoshop CS4 will not be 64-bit on the Mac, but will be 64-bit on Windows. I discussed the dawn of the 64-bit age and the end of Carbon in my Leopard review, concluding the section with this warning.

In the end, Apple made the hard choice instead of the easy one. I think it will pay off, though the short-term consequences could be pretty grim. After all, just look at how long it's tak[en] to get an Intel-native version of Microsoft Office for the Mac. Should we expect a 64-bit Cocoa version in, say, 2012? And I have no idea what Adobe's going to do about 64-bit versions of its products. That's many millions of lines of Carbon code between those two companies alone. We may be in for a rough patch, so buckle up.

That lack of a 64-bit Photoshop on the Mac is the first big bump. I wrote that "I have no idea what Adobe's going to do." It turns out that they chose the obvious answer: port to Cocoa. The consequences are just as obvious: delay.

This is going to be a huge job for Adobe, and is likely the most complex and difficult Cocoa port ever attempted. I can imagine it being surpassed only by a hypothetical Cocoa port of Microsoft Office. But, of course, Office has no pressing need to be 64-bit; Photoshop does.

So now we wait. The speed advantage of 64-bit code on Intel's x86_64 processors makes this wait particularly galling. The lack of a 64-bit Photoshop on the Mac doesn't just affect those who work with huge files. It represents a blanket 8-12% speed hit for Mac users when compared with Windows users running Photoshop on the same hardware.

Given these unfortunate facts, some assignment of blame is inevitable. Here are the two poles of this world of hurt:

Blame Apple: If Apple had not discontinued the 64-bit port of Carbon, Adobe could have shipped Photoshop CS4 as a 64-bit Mac OS X application as planned. At WWDC 2006, there were many sessions about developing 64-bit Carbon applications. At WWDC 2007, 64-bit Carbon was canceled. Adobe found this out the same time everyone else did, at WWDC. By canceling 64-bit Carbon so suddenly, Apple screwed Adobe.

Blame Adobe: The death of Carbon was inevitable. Adobe should have seen it coming and planned accordingly. It's been clear for years that Cocoa offers many advantages to Mac application developers. Adobe should have started its Cocoa port of Photoshop years ago. By willfully ignoring Cocoa for so long, Adobe screwed Apple.

As usual, there's some truth to both points of view. But the key to understanding this situation—and therefore to knowing how best to apportion blame—is to look to the past. [Continue Reading]

Giant Face Off: Apple vs. Adobe. Good Or Bad?
By Kate MacKenzie

Is Adobe every Mac users fair weather friend? Is the Photoshop maker with Mac roots friend or foe?

Or, has the graphics and media giant awakened to smell the coffee and realized that both Apple and the Mac are back? Apple and Adobe head to head. Who wins?

New Age Journalism™ means I can accuse without retribution simply by asking questions.

For example, I could accuse Adobe of being a fair weather friend to Apple, the Mac, and Mac users, because they treat all of us as second class computer citizens, right?

Where’s the native version of Photoshop for Intel Macs? Or, whatever happened to Adobe Premiere? Or, why isn’t there Photoshop Elements 5 for Mac (there’s one for Windows)?

Adobe probably has a love-hate relationship with Apple and the Mac. Yes, Adobe’s roots go back a long way, but can be traced directly to Apple and Xerox. Apple once owned a huge chunk of Adobe.

As the Mac’s market share shriveled in the mid and late 90s, Adobe, according to many, began treating Mac customers as second class citizens. Windows was where the money was and so went Adobe.

Apple, far more the visionary than Microsoft or Adobe, looked down the road and decided to take action to protect itself from either giant pulling the plug.

The end result of Apple’s action was Mac OS X on Intel, Intel chips in Macs, iTunes on Windows, Final Cut Pro vs. Adobe Premiere, and Pages and Keynote vs. Microsoft Office.

Apple’s Steve Jobs knew that Mac users buy software
to run on Macs, and if Adobe and/or Microsoft pulled the development plug on the Mac to focus solely on Windows, the Mac could be finished.

Fanning the burning embers begets a flame. Adobe pulled the plug on the video application Premiere not long after Apple launched Final Cut Pro (vastly superior product, originally purchased from Macromedia, now a part of Adobe).

Since then, Adobe has yet to prove loyalty to a huge and profitable base of Mac customers.

Why? The Mac’s low market share, and Adobe’s need to go where the money is.

Today, the money is going to Apple and the Mac. Guess what?

Fair weather friend Adobe is back in the hunt with a little competition for Apple and some great new products for—ready for this? Mac users. [Continue Reading]

Ball of Confusion by Love and Rockets - September 3, 2001

People moving out, people moving in
Why, because of the color of their skin
Run, run, run but you just can't hide
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
Vote for me and I'll set you free
Rap on, brother, rap on
Well, the only person talking about love and affection is the preacher
And it seems nobody's interested in learning but the teacher
Segregation, determination, demonstration, intergration
Aggravation, humiliation, devastation of our nation
Ball of confusion
Yeah, that's what the world is today
Hey, hey
Ball of confusion
Yeah, that's what the world is today
Hey, hey
The sale of pills are at an all time high
Who was walkin' down with there heads in the sky?
The cities aflame in the summer time!
go on and we go home
Economics, Reaganomics, Birth Control, The Status Quo
Shooting rockets to the moon, kids growing up too soon
Politicians say
And the band played on
So, round and around and around we go
Where the world's headed, nobody knows
Ball of confusion
That's what the world is today
Hey hey
Ball of confusion
That's what the world is today
Hey hey
Hey hey
Fear in the air, tension everywhere
Unemployment rising fast, the Beatles new record's a gas
And the band played on
Eve of destruction, tax deduction, city inspectors, bill collectors
Solid Gold in demand, population out of hand, suicide
Too many bills, hippies movin' to the hills
People all over the world are dying in the war
And the band played on
Ball of confusion
That's what the world is today, hey, hey
Ball of confusion
That's what the world is today, hey, hey
Ball of confusion
That's what the world is today, hey, hey
Ball of confusion
That's what the world is today
Hey Hey

Dist Attorney to Dismiss Charges V. Hempstead 15
(Hofstra IVAW 10)

From: BpVETforPEACE@aol.com
Date: November 27, 2008 8:13:27 AM PST
To: BpVETforPEACE@aol.com
Subject: Dist Attorney to Dismiss Charges V. Hempstead 15 (Hofstra IVAW 10)

D.A. does right! Charges to be dismissed vs. Hempstead 15

In a remarkable reversal, the Nassau County District Attorney's Office has agreed to dismiss all charges against the Hempstead 15 following a six month adjournment in what's called an "ACD" (Adjournment to Contemplate Dismissal).

Additionally, they have agreed to consolidate all of our court cases on one date (TBD) so that we and our supporters may be seen and heard together as we prepare to move forward now to federal court where our lawyer, Jonathan Moore is filing a civil case on behalf of Nick Morgan and others.

This is a decisive victory for activists and veterans everywhere, and for the Constitution. The outcome of these criminal proceedings would not have been possible without you, our supporters and allies. It was the calls, the demonstrations, the petitions and the grass-roots exposure that made the difference. For an event which received no real attention from main-stream media outlets to have been captured and brought to so many around the country and the world by a few hardworking organizers and supporters signals an evolution in our power as a movement to inform and impact our system.

We'd like to thank those videographers, bloggers, e-mailers and Facebookers that have stuck with us up until now and we hope will stay with us to the end. We'd also like to thank Democracy Now as well radio programs across the country for their dedication to covering this case in every stage of its development, ensuring we didn't go entirely missing from the airwaves. As well, we must thank Newsday for their relentless coverage and powerful OpEds. Justice ultimately came about through the efforts of so many, and I've not room to begin to thank them all.

What happened at Hofstra will forever remain with all in attendance and those who suffered most. May it be burned into America's conscience as well, but let it be a turning point. A moment in time from where clear divergence emerged.

Police and veterans from across this Nation have contacted us with their support and ultimately the same message: "We're tired of this!"

So it is with great determination and much momentum we move forward, Nick and several into a civil case, and myself into a fight with the Army.

Shortly after our action at Hofstra, I was sent notice by the Army that I would be prosecuted for my refusal to reactivate and deploy to Iraq last summer. The Army wants to separate me on grounds of misconduct which I vowed to fight in May and continue to stand by firmly. I'll know more on my exact hearing date soon, but with a good amount of support, I believe we can win this thing and prove once and for all that servicemembers have a right to refuse participation in the occupation of Iraq.

If you've not already, please consider joining the Facebook group "I support Matthis Chiroux's decision not to go to Iraq." Most of my updates from this point forward through Facebook will come from this group. Please pass it around to your friends, as well.

As soon as I know what day the Hempstead 15's final hearing in Nassau will be, I'll let everyone know. Let's have one last blow out to make clear to our government and the world that we will not be silent!

You made this for us, and we are forever in the debt of our global movement.

Peace and Solidarity,

Matthis

Message relayed by:
Bill Perry, Service Officer
Disabled American Veteran CSO
Make ANY ERROR in the VA Claims maze,
& you'll be forced into a 2 year Appeal process
Get Expert Advice, Evaluations, & Treatment
215-945-1269 215-945-3350

Magnitude 5.4 - OFF THE COAST OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
200811.28 05:42:19 AM at epicenter

VIVACE - Move Like A Fish, Generate Electricity From Water

Scientific Blogging

Slow-moving ocean and river currents could be a new, reliable and affordable alternative energy source. A University of Michigan engineer has made a machine that works like a fish to turn potentially destructive vibrations in fluid flows into clean, renewable power.

The machine is called VIVACE. A paper on it is published in the current issue of the quarterly Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering.

[snip]

http://www.scientificblogging.com/news_releases/vivace_move_fish_generate_electricity_water

The Green Optimistic

VIVACE (Vortex Induced Vibrations for Aquatic Clean Energy) is a newly invented machine harvesting slow-moving ocean and river currents. A researcher from the University of Michigan has come up with the system that works like a fish, turning potentially destructive vibrations found in fluid flows into electricity.

The water that VIVACE uses has to be slower than 2 knots (2 mph). While most of Earth’s currents have less then 3 knots speed, they can’t be used for their energetic properties, because regular turbines don’t work at that water speed (they need at least 5 to 6 knots).

VIVACE uses the vibrations (the undulations) that a rounded or cylinder-shaped object makes in a flow of fluid, which can be air or water. The presence of the object puts kinks in the current’s speed as it skims by. This causes eddies, or vortices, to form in a pattern on opposite sides of the object. The vortices push and pull the object up and down or left and right, perpendicular to the current.

[snip]

http://www.greenoptimistic.com/2008/11/25/vivace-slow-water-energy-machine/

Iraq Veterans Against the War:
Operation First Casualty
San Francisco’s Union Square 11.28.08
A Rainbow Puddle SlideShow

As crowds of shoppers and ice skaters passed, a squad of camouflaged Iraq vets "detained" "suspects" (i.e. willing participants who had been trained), at two tables at an outdoor cafe in Union Square, in downtown San Francisco. The squad pulled almost a dozen "suspects" from their chairs, put them on the ground, cuffed, then herded the "suspects" to their knees on the grass across the street from Macy's and within viewing distance of Sachs. The squad put black hoods over the heads of their captives while cursing and yelling at them, articulating much anger and contempt. Instead of weapons, the squad held their arms as if holding weapons and, with their fingers pointing straight ahead looked menacing and threatening. Many shoppers had confused and shocked looks on their faces. [Continue Reading - View SlideShow]

The Energy Solution Revolution

Brian O'Leary

During these times of global political change and fiscal austerity, it seems that only one class of clean, renewable and sustainable energy sources can get us through these times: new, breakthrough "free" energy. If properly understood and developed, these previously suppressed technologies are the only path towards having affordable clean energy. The sources include vacuum energy, cold fusion and advanced hydrogen chemistries.

The capital investment and environmental impact required to deploy free energy to replace hydrocarbons and nuclear energy would be miniscule compared to the trillions needed to implement a pervasive economy of any other source, even including conventional renewables such as solar, wind and biofuels. The Energy Solution Revolution is a social and political mandate to create an awareness and a movement to develop these sources as soon as possible for the sake of all humanity and the Earth. [Continue Reading]:

http://www.brianoleary.info/The%20Energy%20Solution%20Revolution.html

Biography, 2008

Over the past twenty years, Dr. O'Leary has researched, lectured and written extensively about new paradigms of science and global transformation. His most recent book Re-Inheriting the Earth describes how we can lift out of ourselves out of our current path of global destruction. Much of his work is based on extensive international travels to some of the best and brightest researchers of new science, new medicine and "free" energy.

Dr. O'Leary has published internationally ten trade books on the frontiers of science, space, energy and culture, with sales averaging over 10,000 copies per book. He was a NASA scientist-astronaut, assistant professor of astronomy at Cornell University alongside Carl Sagan, and has also taught Physics for Poets and Princeton University and technology assessment at the University of California Berkeley School of Law and Hampshire College. He has published over 100 technical papers in the peer reviewed scientific literature and another 100 popular magazine and Op-Ed pieces worldwide. He has appeared frequently on American national television and radio, including the Today Show, Larry King Live, the Donahue Show and the Art Bell Show.(C.V.)

A passionate environmentalist open to innovative solutions, Dr. O'Leary was special consultant to the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment, wrote speeches and was senior advisor to environmental presidential candidate Morris Udall. He also helped presidential candidates George McGovern, Walter Mondale and Jesse Jackson on economic policies to convert from polluting and military activities to green initiatives.

He is currently on the faculty of the University of Philosophical Research in Los Angeles, teaching in the Masters program in Transformational Psychology. He is co-founder of the New Energy Movement (no longer President). He has recently completed the Sivananda Yoga Teachers Training Course and lectures widely at their ashrams and centers throughout the world. He is co-founder of the International Association of New Science and advisor to Dennis Weaver's Institute of Ecolonomics.

Over the past decade, Dr. Oleary has spoken or led workshops at the Esalen Insitute, the Findhorn Foundation, Oxford University, St. James Picadilly, State of the World Forum, the United Nations Youth Assembly, the International Conferences on Science and Consciouness, the International Forums on New Science, the Philosophical Research Society, the International Institute of Integral Human Sciences, Unity churches, Chuches of Religious Science, the Yuba Seminars and dozens of other venues worldwide.

With his artist-wife Meredith, Brian is founding Montesueños, a retreat center and botanical garden in the Ecuadorian Andes dedicated to finding deep peaceful and sustainable solutions to humankind's war on nature and to implement these at local, regional and global levels of action. They also plan to have many workshops and residences in the arts. Many international groups will be coming during 2008 to launch this unique new facility, known for its great natural beauty.

Personally signed copies of Dr. O'Leary's books and a recent video are available through the Books and Tapes web page.

Dr. O'Leary is also available to give lectures, workshops and courses based on his recent research. Speaking Topics

http://www.brianoleary.info/about.html

Erik Moll

Erik Moll’s songs paint the many colorful moods and feelings we all share as we move through the twists and turns of the human experience. His masterful and often humorous simplicity transcends the traditional with upbeat, rhythmic trademarks and mysterious minor key melodies. His stories and pictures open doors into landscapes of the heart.

Moll is a singer-songwriter who has lived his music. An American-Norwegian artist and cosmopolitan ramblin’ man, he uses his stories and his evocative voice to take you on travels through a charming, rootsy and eclectic blend of Folk, Country, Gypsy, Swing, Blues, Tex-Mex, Calypso and Rock.

A troubador since the sixties, Moll has lived, played and recorded in California, Texas and Scandinavia. He sang and danced as a member of the Tribe in the Rock musical “Hair”, performed old cowboy classics in an arena production at a Grand National Rodeo, had a leading role in Bobby Bridger’s mountain man musical “Ballad of the West”, sang and yodeled in a Bluebell Ice Cream TV commercial, fronted four recording bands, released four solo albums and has appeared on many TV and radio shows, as well as festivals and countless concerts and roadgigs.

He has opened for legends Willie Nelson, Jerry Garcia, Taj Mahal, Loudon Wainwright, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Floyd Tilman, Hank Thompsen, Hal Ketchum, Rick Danko, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Peter Rowan, Riders in the Sky, Butch Hancock, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Ray Wylie Hubbard and shared the stage with many more.

Erik’s first solo album “Wayward Ways” was released in 1988, after his return to the U.S. from a long-term residency in Norway. Produced by Joe Gracey, this country-folk-rock cassette has a spunky, inspired feel.

In 1990, Norwegian artist Steinar Albrigtsen recorded six Erik Moll songs on his double platinum, Norwegian Grammy Award-winning debut album. Erik toured almost a full year in Norway as a featured guest and sideman in Albrigtsen’s band. Through the 90’s Moll had a U.S. cut on “New Riders of the Purple Sage-Midnight Moonlight”, and twenty more songs released in Norway, gracing several artists’ platinum and gold records.

“Erik & Erik” came out in 1992 on Moll’s own “Fire Ant Records” label. An exceptional collaboration with fiddler-guitarist Erik Hokkanen, they played three Kerrville Folk Festivals and performed together for years to a dedicated following in Austin and the Texas Hill Country area.

Erik’s second solo album, “In the Shadow” was released in 1994. The incomparable Mitch Watkins produced this eclectic selection of Moll songs, which features some of the finest musicians in Texas backing Erik’s easily recognizable, voice.

”Most of All”, Moll’s self-produced folk-rock album of 1998, is a diverse collection of music with a warm, lively depth. A more barebones production than Erik’s other recordings, it features a select group of Austin musicians showcasing 13 original songs and Moll’s exceptional vocal capacities.

Erik’s 2003 release, “Come What May” is another brilliant production by Mitch Watkins, with great Texas musicians and talented Norwegian guitarist Stein Urheim creating distinctive backing on 12 Moll originals. Released in Norway to rave reviews, this multi-genre folk-rock CD once again highlights Erik’s expressive, unmistakable vocal stylings and trademark sound.

2008 Norwegian release "Good To Go" is an extravaganza of prominent musicians from the Bergen scene backing Erik on 13 self-penned eclectic compositions. Produced by Moll and engineer Morten Skage it captures Erik's standout sound and has received great reviews in Norwegian media. Continue reading at: http://www.erikmoll.com/

MP3

Waltzing on the Stars © 1979 Erik Moll Music (ASCAP/TONO) - Erik Moll, Rusty Gauthier, Loren Lawner, and Ralph Penunuri.

http://flyingsnail.com/Podcast/HappyValley.mp3

Remnants of Paradise © 1979 Erik Moll Music (ASCAP/TONO) - Erik Moll, Rusty Gauthier, Larry Klein, Jim Zeigler, and Howie Hollenberg played on this recording.

http://flyingsnail.com/Podcast/ropelectric.mp3

Happy Valley - United State Cafe page

http://flyingsnail.com/Scrapbook/UnitedStateCafe/uscpage028.html

Testing Testing
Seismic Data On Line
Amateur Radio Public Seismic Network
Information: Progress Log -- Heliplots -- Seismic Shed Re-Construction

How's the Weather?

Click above images for large picture. Top portion is local weather and bottom portion is recent seismic activity. UTC time noted on left. GPS date, with UTC and PDT time located lower left corner.

Boptime - Saturday Morning
6 am East -- 3 am Pacific -- 1100 UTC
Click: Listen On-Line for Even Steven

Underground Hour
Tuesdays - 7 to 8 pm
http://ksfs.sfsu.edu/
Music by MiKo
Tuesdays - 8 to 11 pm
Paper Mill Creek Saloon - Forest Knolls, CA - Free
Miko's Eclectic Nostalgia! - Saturdays - 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Taste of Rome, 1002 Court St - San Rafael, CA - Free
Featuring Brian "The Don" Fischer on drums, Rocky of "The Rocoons" on bass
Marliese's Corner - San Francisco Events

ASIFA-SF NEWSLETTER
Association International du Film d'Animation
(International Animated Film Association)

TOO LATE FOR NEWLETTER

THE SF CINEMATEQUE PRESENTS AT ATA
992 VALENCIA
Thurs. Nov. 6, 8 pm
ANN ARBOR FESTIVAL, TOURING PROGRAM #1
Michael Langan's Doxology - Josh Raskin's I Met the Walrus - 12 other short films
Fri. Nov. 7, 8 pm
ANN ARBOR FESTIVAL, TOURING PROGRAM #2
Chel White's A Painful Glimpse into My Writing Process -
Kelly Sears' The Drift - Jeff Scher's White Out - and 12 more shorts

THE 2008 "ANIMATION SHOW"
RETURNS NOV. 6-8 AT THE RED VIC ON HAIGHT ST.

Over 2-dozen shorts from around the world are in this quality program. Films range from George Schizgbel's Jeu to Bill Plympton's Hot Dog. Other highlighs include This Way Up, Western Spaghetti by Pes and The Life and Times of Tim. [Continue Reading]

October 2008
by Karl Cohen

SPECIAL FEATURES OF THIS ISSUE INCLUDE AN INTERVIEW WITH COMPOSER NORMAND ROGER AND ARTICLES ABOUT THE ZAGREB AND ANNECY ANIMATED FILM FESTIVALS BY NANCY DENNEY-PHELPS

THE ANIMATION SHOW OF SHOWS, OUR INTERNATIONAL ANIMATIONDAY PROGRAM. IS THE LAST ITEM

NEXT MONTH I'LL INCLUDE A FEATURE ARTICLE ON OTTAWA 08

October 2008

SF INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FESTIVAL TO SHOW "SITA SINGS THE BLUES" WED. NOVEMBER 13 Nina wrote me that it is going to be the opening night film at the festival. In Sept. she was in Israel to attend festival screenings, but she came home early due to illness and missed going to Athens.

The festival is also flying in Gene Deitch from Prague to talk about his long career. He will also present ASIFA-SF a different program at SF State on Thurs. Nov. 20. It will be on his work adapting short stories into animated cartoons.
They are also showing an impressive surprise by Bill Plympton, a mature sophisticated work in a new artistic style. It is a well-constructed, powerful work of art and not like his previous features! [Continue Reading]

Bottle Rock Blues & Rhythm Band

By Wellman Moody

LAKE COUNTY - Bottle Rock Blues & Rhythm Band formed in Lake County, CA in August of 2008 and describes its music as "Smokin' R&B!" It is not often that one finds a band that has roots as deep and a family tree as broad as this one.

The band coalesced around sixties legend Mike Wilhelm, guitar and vocal; and Neon Napalm, vocal and percussion. Wilhelm is best known as a founding member of the Charlatans, San Francisco's first psychedelic group as well as for his work with cult heroes Flamin' Groovies. Napalm, a card-carrying member of the Cherokee Nation, is the popular lead singer formerly with Gary Farmer and the Troublemakers, a Native American band well known throughout the Southwest.

According to Wilhelm, "I had a concept for a rhythm and blues band featuring harmony vocals and a rock style rhythm section. I designed a logo with the letters BOTTLE ROCK made from obsidian, common in Lake County and known locally as 'bottle rock'. I also had certain personnel in mind."

First on his list was Napalm whom he had met in the Lake County Blues Allstars. Wilhelm explains, "Neon is not only one of the best female vocalists I've ever heard, and I have heard many over the years, but we had already been singing harmony together in the Blues Allstars."

Wilhelm and Napalm started playing with guitarist and vocalist Stephen Holland. He hails originally from Clarksdale, MS, central to the Mississippi Delta, the ancestral home of Chicago blues. Born in 1950, he has been playing for 44 years and has an original style all his own. He has played with such Bay Area bands as Soundhole and Cottonmouth with members of Huey Lewis and the News and Tower of Power.

Holland introduced them to bassist Bill McMenomy who had recently moved to Lake County after spending a number of years playing in the Portland, Oregon area. McMenomy is originally from San Francisco. Back in the day, he played with the San Francisco rock trio Aum. He sings backup has a very powerful rock bass style, which is just what Wilhelm had in mind for the band.

Drummer Mark Phillips is probably best known as a member of the Grateful Dead cover band Street Dogs. He is an extremely well seasoned player having played with P. T. and the Pleasers during the early '80s in the Bay Area opening for acts such as Greg Kihn and Huey Lewis and the News. In demand as a recording session musician, Phillips has divided his time between the Bay Area and his native England.

The resulting band has the much sought after quality of being more than the sum of its parts. In addition to the R&B repetoire, they are also mixing in some classic rock from the sixties and seventies including songs associated with the Charlatans and Flamin' Groovies. For further information about Bottle Rock Blues & Rhythm Band, email: guit_blue@yahoo.com

Remnant of Paradise continued

Have You Ever Been Experienced?
[page out of order]

[Selected information from the Other Side]

There was a gentleman by the name of Don Hamrick (Frontiers of Science) who severely caught my attention during early 1966 in the Haight/Ashbury, because one of his projects involved mapping altered space.

Here is a short piece I found on him at the Rolling Stone Archive:

Celestial Synapse at the Fillmore
Good vibes in the name of science - 2/19/69

Mad scientists

It was a "Frontiers of Science Celestial Synapse."

A what? What's Frontiers of Science? What's a synapse, and what's the Grateful Dead's name doing among the lines of medieval Irish script, the kind preferred for church bulletins?

The answer to the questions raised by the classy printed invitations was unquestionably the best musical gathering in months. Fifteen hundred invitations were sent out for the February 19 event, and though there was no other announcement, probably double that number attended. Everyone was treated to the best vibrations and some of the best music the Fillmore West had seen in some time.

After a stirring oboe and bagpipe introduction by the Golden Toad, Don Hamrick of Frontiers of Science spoke for a few minutes in a gentle rural accent, addressing the crowd as "the Goodly Company." "It is our hope," he said, "that this evening there will be an opening and a free interchange, so that something new may emerge. Let the barriers fall, let there be a merging."

Then the Grateful Dead began a set that ran for four hours or so with scarcely an interruption. "I haven't seen anything like this in years -- it's like one of the old Ken Kesey Acid Tests," said Bob Thomas, piper of the Toad and, like the Dead, veteran of many an Acid Test, "-- only it's less hectic and confused. It's fucking amazing." People were handing each other flowers, joints, funny incomprehensible little picket signs four inches high.

The Dead played continuously, a flowing improvisatory set of new material. (Originally the concert was to be recorded for inclusion on the next Dead album, but last-minute difficulties in setting up the recording equipment scotched that.) Three light shows were playing, at no charge to the sponsors. The Grateful Dead and Bill Graham donated their services for free.

Invitations had gone out to people in music and a broad range of psychedelic tribes -- from Rancho Olompali and other communes to the Hells Angels. Many Frontiers of Science people and other communards could be seen embracing each other, greeting strangers, dancing and celebrating.

Toward two in the morning there were a number of stoned occurrences. People began taking off their clothes. Don McCoy of Olompali got up on the stage stark naked, against a tableau of Bill Graham restraining the rent-a-cops from pulling him down.

The organizing body was Frontiers of Science, headquartered at Harbinger, a former hotsprings resort 100 miles north of San Francisco. Incorporated as a nonprofit organization a year ago, FOS grew up around Don Hamrick, a 33-year-old alumnus of both a Church of Christ seminary (he has since been excommunicated for his radical mystical views) and research physics. Around two years ago Hamrick started speaking of a religious calling to establish order and unity on earth and to connect the physical and metaphysical aspects of science.

It has to do with the crystal at the center of the living Earth, which is affected by human vibrations and which may either change shape (a creative change) or change size (a destructive change, since it would cause earthquakes). The idea is to send down good vibrations to change the shape of that crystal, and the Celestial Synapse may very well have done just that.

"Synapse" is the term used by the people around Hamrick for a mass meeting of minds, parallel to the linking-up of brain cells that makes thought possible, called a synapse in psychology. The Celestial Synapse was the beginning of a five-day Frontiers of Science conference, which included a Congress of Concerned Educators at the College of Marin and a two-day gathering of about 400 people at Harbinger. - (RS 30, April 5, 1969)

Common Recorded Experiences: [to be continued]

NO ON 8

Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8

Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees' same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person's fundamental rights -- including the right to marry -- should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.

Cindy Sheehan for Congress 2008