Podcasting since 2004; Conversations, conflicts, adventures and monologues from around the world.
Josh Wolf doesn’t know me. But anyone reading this knows that in this wonderful jungle called the internet.. we know many people who don’t know us.
Tonight, as I sat here in my room in windy Amsterdam, I read through this piece he wrote from prison, describing what his average day consists of. It really had me sitting here and imagining. Not to mention appreciating and admiring what he is going through and its significance for all of us who struggle to be recognized and allowed to do this very under-respected type of journalistic work. I should will write to him.
For tonight I quote one of his paragraphs, and hope you’ll read it fully, and remember all those out there who have been wrongly imprisoned.
Although I occasionally watch a bit of television during the evening, I try to devote the last hour or two before lockdown to responding to the correspondence I have received. Just before 8:45 PM, I go into the guard’s office and deliver whatever letters I have finished writing, and then fill up my mug with water from the drinking fountain. By that time, the guard has usually announced lockdown and we all scamper back to our cells where we wait out the rest of the night.
Transformer for the powerbook made a funny noise and smells like burnt something.
Battery is dead… no more computer power… big trouble until I get to the mac store tomorrow.
Now commencing forced radio silence.
UPDATE: Temporary Solution… borrowed powercord from Gabemac. Its good to have neighbors like Gabe & Gabe; kinda of like living down the block from some of your favorite vloggers.
Over the years, I’ve often mentioned the war-on-squatters being carried out by the government here in Amsterdam, and seemingly – throughout European cities. Everywhere you look there seems to be some creative and eclectic group of squatters being evicted from their home which they’ve usually worked very hard to make livable. Most recently there was that eviction followed by street clash in Copenhagen… for example.
Yet there are some examples where things are still possible and resourceful squatters find new strategies to keep doing what they do best. Tonight, as I dined with my dear Krizushka, we enjoyed the fruits of one Amsterdam squat that has done just that: Overtoom 301.
I wouldn’t claim to be a familiar face over at 301. Although I visit the former film academy once or twice a month, I’ve not yet developed the warm hello and conversations that the regulars have. But that doesn’t keep me from enjoying the atmosphere whenever i go for a vegan dinner, or just some pie and music. (Wireless internet doesn’t hurt either)
Reading over the latest updates, posted on the wall outside, the squatters of 301, under threat of eviction like so many others these last few years, successfully raised the money to buy their building last year. Ensuring that they can continue to offer artist work space, underground music shows, film screenings, vegan dinners, and all the comforts of a bar/lounge that welcomes all walks of life.. including the numerous children and dogs you’ll run into while sitting down for a meal.
Krizushka and I savored not only the food, but also the moment tonight. Sitting in what is perhaps one of the most encouraging and inspiring locations in the city, that despite all the complications of being foreigners, we love very much.
What always amazes me about today’s society, besides how fun the Wii is, is how you can see articles and reports that identify the extreme dangers of everyday items, and yet if people like these items, they go on using them. The most famous is probably cigarettes, but I would call them an easy target. Items like PVC plastics, nonstick frying pans, hair dye, soft drinks, and various types of fast food.. are all proven to contain toxic ingredients that can destroy or weaken the body over time. No matter how many studies come out, I’m sure you or someone close to you have happily used one of these today. What do you call this phenomenon extactly? Complacency?
After doing some deep research in the last months on the topic of Dow Chemical and other companies producing nonstick products and failing to disclose the dangers posed by using them, today I noticed another chapter in this horrid tradition. In a series of articles which appeared in the New York Times along with medical journals, pediatricians have been investigating puberty and how it continues to arrive earlier and earlier in each generation of children. Research shows that one of the major causes of this can be found in regular household products, toys, and food.. which contain hormone-mimicking chemicals.
While I’m sure there will be people, including scientists and doctors who are not convinced, It seems clear to me than enough evidence has come forward to warrant some action. Which includes radically adjusting diets and changing your shopping habits. In this recent alternet post, several steps are recommended for protecting children from these chemicals, here’s the list:
# Avoid meat, milk and dairy products containing growth hormones
# Buy organic produce
# Minimize soy, which mimics estrogen
# Choose green household products
# Encourage children to eat well and exercise
# Prevent children from chewing on plastic toys
# Avoid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, including vinyl shower curtains and toys and packaging that bear the number “3,” indicating they’re made with PVC.
There’s also a reference site like Safe Cosmetics.org, which can also help identify which cosmetics have what.
Still, the truely strange fact for me writing this, is that even after you read this, you’ll take your child out for some hormone-injected meat and buy them a new plastic-pvc toy. WHY? -We don’t know.
“When you recommend stuff, I like that, you should do more of that,” said a nice guy at a party in Berlin who knew of my blog. He was pretty curious and concerned about my choices as a writer, podcaster, and vlogger… which I very much appreciated.
So, in honor of him, and because I was particularly inspired by these vlogs I just watched.. you absolutely should watch the following three:
1 – Minnesota Stories’ vlog entry about the artist C. Beck. This is not just me saying.. hey watch this.. this is me saying.. I absolutely loved the words and thoughts of this artist and his work is brilliant.
2 – While the Colombian migration project has many strong entries, this latest one on a woman named Rocio and her struggle to obtain citizenship reminded me alot of my own thoughts on life. The value I place on my own right to travel and move and live where I want.
3 – And finally tonight, I just added him to my vlogroll… he’s a great friend and probably certifiably insane. The macdocman has returned to the vlog world with a very motivating focus… go watch the first crazy entry on United VLoggers. I’ll go to his house tomorrow night and let him know in person why I liked it.