ACTION HERO NETWORK's topics - tribe.net

If you can't feel your own miraculousness, you are missing the quintessential experience of life.

solomax — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:45:07 GMT

Preparing offerings for my first tribal workshops at school tomorrow, I read a short book this afternoon that someone gave me years ago, in the form of a dozen photocopied pages stapled together. I had never read it before, but for some reason it has been on my mind and I felt the need to read it today. Sure enough, it was the perfect intro to action hero training-- providing insights on discovering one's totem, developing a persona, keeping a journal, seeing through illusion, and creating reality.

Below are my notes, which do not follow exactly how it is actually written, but are a short summery of what I gathered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To be a Vagabond
by Ed Buryn (And/or Pres, Inc. Berekeley, CA)

If you don't like the news, go out and make some of your own.
- Scoop Niskar

Your brain creates your own reality.
- Tim Leary

What you see is what you get. Create your reality. Transform visions into reality. Connect with your world. Live in the present. Believe. Trust yourself, trust the world. Actualize your potential. If you can't feel your own miraculousness, you are missing the quintessential experience of life.

Love/hate is a basic dualism-- that of invisible but powerful forces equally opposed: love saves the world every day, hate daily destroys it.

Expand your views. The most powerful force in your life is your perspective. The direction you look is the way you are going.

Create a personal myth. Persona is defined as a "role that a person assumes in order to display his conscious intent to himself and others." A persona is not a substitute for, nor an imposter of yourself; rather, it is an extension that allows you to go beyond what you presently know about yourself. It's good advice to consciously visualize and project an image of yourself. Do not confuse yourself with your persona. The role is only one of the endless extensions of yourself. Refine and redefine yourself. A well-chosen persona (which is a kind of personal myth) effectively generates energy because it automatically introduces us to other varieties of reality. Putting on the mask makes us want to dance; so off we go, and the rest is reality.

You are your own expert. I can't be your expert, only your advisor; and I advise you to go out and become your own expert. You can choose to figure it out for yourself, suffering and rejoicing in it as you will. Your life is all for you, uniquely styled in your own vision; and like it or not, nothing can take away your right and duty to live it as fully as you can. You have the power to do this. The only limitations are those you choose, and those imposed by your conditioning, which masks your real freedom. As Tim Leary said, "You can be anything you want this time around."

Discover your Totem. Normally we are wrapped in routines, unconscious of the cosmic news and views being broadcast on some other channels. We need a tuning device, and personal "totem" can be such a device. A totem is some natural entity or form, usually an animal or plant species, that is psychically related to you, and which usually represents or symbolizes yourself. A totem is thus a type of omen with personal significance, a personal symbol that directs your attention alone to its meaning. You do not choose your totem; it chooses you. If you don't know your totem, pay more attention to the phenomena of the natural world and try to discover which of them have an affinity or special connection to you. Often you already have a totem but aren't aware of it, even though you collect or employ images of it in your work or play, or attach significance to it in dreams or fantasies.

Pay attention to everyone you meet. When you meet someone on your psychic wavelength, the power in that connection has no bounds. People do not appear in your life entirely by chance; anyone can be a psychic messenger or energy-bearer with hot news from the frontlines of your consciousness and your cosmic condition.

Energy always manifests in either the physical or metaphysical form. Everything in the world has form--a shape if it’s a physical structure or a symbolical pattern if it’s a metaphysical structure. Routines and habits are examples of metaphysical forms extending through time. They are the Known, protecting us from the Unknown.

Habits are also called home. Habits tame the raw wilderness of existence into the civilized comforts of everyday life. Unfortunately, as we all know, habits gradually domesticate all the wildness and energy out of life. So much energy gets bound up in the routines and habituated patterns, keeping them alive, that your life goes dead instead. Thus, if you want to discover again the wild side of life, you have to leave your comfort zone; you have to break or dissolve your habits in order to release the energy locked up inside of them. Break a habit for freedom!

Books that come into your life at the right time are also omens and indicators of energy directions. Books themselves are vehicles for energy transfer-- artifacts from magic distilled from the miracle of mind, and can easily reshape or direct your ideas and hence change your life.

Dreams are another metaphysical information source. The energizing takes place in all planes of consciousness. Writing down your dreams in a journal reinforces and strengthens the channel, and records this delicate and transitory information for later study before it slips back into the magical realm.

Keep a journal that records your metaphysical reality: omens, intuitions, emotions, dreams, drawings, doodles, coincidences, marvel, mysteries, names, and numbers. It will sharpen your perception of holistic reality, and therefore, of magic. Anyplace can be magical. What matters most is not what happens, but how we respond to what happens.

The illusion was created out of fear and ignorance, by old imprints. From time immemorial, mankind has chosen a view of reality that it could control in order to escape feeling helpless in a seemingly unpredictable universe. Language and culture were creatively invented to capture and shape the raw energy of life into something we could relate to, a set of black/white boxes containing absolutely everything. Meanwhile, energy itself goes rolling formlessly along, endlessly unable to be contained in those tiny boxes. You get what you've been set up for (your imprints) and what you've set yourself up for (your choices).

More than anything else, fear holds us back from knowing ourselves, and thus the Gestapo of consciousness, the internal secret-police force that tries to keep us locked up in the concentration camp of our minds.

Living in the present moment is to be new always, reborn endlessly. It is to recapture the innocence and trust of childhood, of a time before the phantoms of the past and future weighed us down with anxiety, guilt and resentment. We were all born without fear, with no thought of life as a hostile experience. We intuitively knew we belonged here in this world, with no need to fear anything in it.

Your so-called reality is just a taste of pie in an endless bakery, an appetizer in one plane to interest you in some of the endless others, depending on how much reality you want and can deal with.

posted in *ACTION HERO NETWORK* - 5 replies

04/19-04/24 Introduction to Cob and Natural Building Prescott, AZ

transcendance — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:56:16 GMT

Hey folks, a Friend of mine is hosting a workshop in AZ building a cob/natural building greenhouse. Whether you want to build a cob oven, bench, studio, or other such space...or are inspired by the ecological/community awareness, while simultaneously creating a tangible product you should check this out. If anyone is interested either personally or professionally in such a workshop you should look into www.SGNB.com (thats for Seven Generations Natural Builders).

Instructor:
Sasha Rabin (sasha@sgnb.com)
Sasha Rabin has a degree in Ecological Design from Evergreen State College. She has studied natural and traditional methods of building in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Indonesia, and the southwest United States. Following an apprentice at the Cob Cottage Company she worked with them as an assistant instructor(2001) and went on to co-found Seven Genereation Natural Builders in 2003. She built a cob dwelling in the southwest US that she is curently living in. She contuinues to teach with SGNB, as well teaching as a guest instructor at the Real Good Institute for Solar Living(www.realgoods.com) / and Yestermorrow Design/Build School. (www.yestermorrow.org/)

(She is also flexible on the price if that is an issue but for a workshop that is a fair number!!!)

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re: note sent concerning Ugandan peoples and foreign aid

carlos-ity — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:45:12 GMT

Re the note you sent me:
Answering Our Higher Calling

Stitch Uganda Together is an Action Hero Network mission to create a cultural exchange between students at Forest Hills School in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada and youth in Uganda, Africa. It involves donating sewing machines, providing free hammocks to homeless children, and sharing the process online through web cam and digital video as a demonstration of grassroots activism.
===========
i say, add to that mix, a trade with them too!

THEN you can see more clearly!

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Life in Africa - HQ in Gulu

solomax — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 08:40:38 GMT

Norman and I are now based at the Life in Africa HQ in Gulu, and have had a busy schedule, touring around with Francis and George. We'll be here for a week. Gulu today is much different than what we saw in Invisible Children. The streets are filled with people night and day going about their lives. Still there are many issues to address and some people are still living in the displaced persons camps, like one we saw today. The war went on for 20 years, so many don't know where home is anymore. This afternoon we gave a lady a lift that didn't know what town she had to get off at to find her village. Her mother told George to make sure we drop her at Palenga and then she'd need to find her way walking through the bush.

Saturday a group of 45 children were here singing and playing games. They had a lunch together and then we explained the hammock making project. None of them had ever seen a hammock before. Nobody in Norman's village had either. Hammocks are just not common here, so this could be a very profitable opportunity for Life in Africa, and the Good Samaritan School to make them to sell in local and international markets.

I asked the kids how many were night commuters traveling from the villages to sleep together in shelters during the war in fear of being abducted. Nearly all of them put up their hands. Most of them also put up hands when I asked how many lost parents.

We have one sewing machine here ready, and the other awaits the peddle which fell out of the box on the bumpy bus ride from Mbale. The peddle is in the bus station office, so we'll have it back tomorrow and start sewing hammocks.

Yesterday, we attended a wedding in Masindi, a village near Karuma falls on the Nile. Along the drive we fed baboons' begging on the highway, and got some photos. I'd never experienced anything like it.

George was the chairman of the wedding committee. He grew up with the family and they paid for his school fees. The family is one of the largest land owners in that district, with 1000 acres, and all of them are very well educated... being doctors, lawyers and teachers. The father died early and eldest brother, a lawyer, was a member of parliament at age 23, and put the other eight siblings through school. They are keen to have more volunteers visit their village and offered their houses to live in and land to set up a camp on. One of the sisters is head teacher at a local school and will be happy to have guest teachers. The place felt very safe and I will work on facilitating this project.

We arrived at the village exhausted from an early morning and late night of dancing the night before. I regretted not bring a hammock to rest. Kids everywhere, keen to play with the Muzungu(strange white guy). It seemed like I was the only white person they have ever seen. I wished I had the dance hoop. I looked in hardware shops for materials, but plastic tubing is rare here. I grabbed a large bike tire off the roof of a bycycle repair shop, but it was too soft. The men there thought I was silly the way I was playing with it, but after walking away they called me back to get a more sturdy tire, with treads worn down smooth. It worked perfectly. We washed it at the village water pump, and by then there was a group of 30 kids ready for a show, plus a dozen prison inmates that happened to be sitting there.

The hoop play went on for hours before and after the wedding, and they were fighting over it by dark, and following me in a huge crowd, so I needed to hid-out to keep them from following. One little boy took a special liking to the hoop and loved being in front of the camera. He was a pushy kid, obviously needing attention. We became good friends and he stayed with me, holding my hand and asking me to swing him around. This sort of personal connection I find very satisfying, because I was able to give what he needed, and maybe the hoop could be a positive way he can continue to channel energy. The hoop being a bycycle tire ended up being a good thing, so that they could use what they had locally.

The choir singing at the wedding was enchanting and I plan to use the music for the soundtrack of my documentary. I shot a good overview of the whole wedding and will give a copy to the family, plus a disc of all the still images. The dance party afterward lasted all night and I was too tired dance, but the bed I was laying in was only a hundred feet from the massive speakers and crowd of 500+, so again I got little sleep. Norman slept in the vehicle far away, and got much better rest.

My head hurts, and throat hurts a bit, which I'm sure is due to lack of sleep and water. I can't drink the local water, everyone reminds me, so I always need to be prepared. It is hot, so I need to drink a lot. I need to sleep now.

Please take the time to read Aaron's proposal below and help continue the work we are doing here. I really want Aaron to come, knowing he has many gifts. I have given him $380 from the sale of 7 hammocks that Karenann Whalen sold in Montreal. Now we need others to take action soon as possible. The reason I write reports and share images is to inspire a grassroots movement, which will really make a difference on the ground in the long term. I'm not here on vacation. I'm trying hard to upload more images, but with our net connection so slow it is time consuming and frustrating-- so I'm better off doing the work I came to do then sharing the details when I return home. We will continue the work started by the connections made this trip. Already, Shady Willis and Jamie Luv are planning Action Hero adventures in Uganda this coming summer.

Aaron's length of stay is April 1st to April 24th. He will be working in Norman's village for most of his stay.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Cory,
Yo. All right.
So, I do have friends in Kampala, happy to host me if needs be.
However, it would be nice to connect with Norman immediately and head
straight to the orphanage to continue where you left off.
Here are is a rough blueprint for what I hope to do:
1) bring (fruit and vegetable) seeds for commencing on permaculture
gardening projects.
*is there room to build a small greenhouse? or perennial raised beds?
do they have tools?
2) to continue your work with hammocks and geodesic domes. *is there
more to do? endless?
3) organize groups of children to perform musical theatre shows based
on issues raised by the kids. theatre games. breakdance. beatbox. rap.
recycled instrument making. anything which might bring positive media,
relevant life reflection, and offer a model of peace and empowerment
through the arts. (this would be amazing to film...even to put
camera's into the children's hands (disposable cameras, cheap video
cams, etc). and what about the refugee camp "ball" where we have local
entertainment, local food, etc?
4) and lastly, to do interviews with existing NGO's, community
projects, orphanages, musicians, artists, farmers, and others who are
bringing real solutions of unity, sustainability, and creativity to
Uganda and the world.
O.K. So, this is all still pending appraisal- based on what's actually
feasible with materials, genuine interest, and monetary logistics- of
course.
With no agenda,
Aaron

p.s. i leave on tuesday to teach workshops with native youth in
northern canada...then fly to toronto on the 31st...hoping to buy
tickets from there...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Cory,
I am writing to inform you that I don't think Uganda is in the cosmic
cards for me right now. I am too stressed about finances and there
doesn't seem to be any other method of making this happen. Plus, the
tickets are too expensive last minute (even with a generous loan from
you). I am a truly bummed and sad, given the amount energy and work I
put into lining things up- all the seeds, a rented video camera,
workshop plans, musical shows, etc...but, alas, I have exhausted all
resources- financial, mental, emotional.
I'll have to plan this trip for another time...boo hoooo.
Regretfully,
Aaron

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Last but not least, I must thank the most recent donors who purchased the sewing machines and fabric. Without their help, this effort would not have happened:

Mike Zolis, Gordon Johnson, Debbie Murphy, Glen Maclean, Ray Leaman, Barb Doyle, John and Dorothy Doyle, Nicholas Richard, Janet McClusky, Marcus Mccinsky, Virgina Stites, Robert and Cynthia Donovan, Jeffery Withers, Erin Slovitt, Nelson Hum, Charlene Richard, Monique Morin, Shawna Vassallo, Joey Rudy, Leon Turfitt.

Please show your support by donating now:
http://www.ihcenter.org/groups/actionheronetwork.html

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Sanity in a mad world

LEA — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:21:47 GMT

http://www.boomboxradio.com/soundstrue/Modules/ShoppingCart/sample_Video.aspx

posted in *ACTION HERO NETWORK* - 1 reply

Listen to it

LEA — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 14:42:59 GMT

http://asx.ljcentral.net/mp3/eir/tls/2008/tls080301_en_hi.mp3

you must stop fashism in the US

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I fly out tonight to Uganda

solomax — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:19:11 GMT

After a few days in London, I fly out tonight to Uganda. Waiting for me at the airport will be Norman, the director of Good Samaritan Orphan and Needy school, and Lucy from Life in Africa.

http://LifeInAfrica.com
http://bunabumali.my-php.net

First, I'll buy sewing machines, fabric, and rope, then bus to Norman's village at the base of Mt. Elgon, which is spectacular: http://www.kws.org/mt-elgon.html

Once the kids have a grip on sewing hammocks, we'll get to work building the bamboo dome, which will serve as a shelter and play space for the school. I set up a huge dome in the gulf coast after hurricane Katrina( thanks to Jeff Talyor of www.eons.com ) and it became an amazing community center that made a big difference in many lives(watch the 30 minute doc I shot about this: http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=7741275027359055423&q=Making+Love+in+a+disaster+zone {sorry about the low quality version). The bamboo dome could be a revolutionary demonstration that can be easily duplicated all over the 3rd world. We still need funds to buy canvas to cover this dome.

I have 50 bottles of MMS to give out, thanks to Robert in Alberta( http://www.health4allinfo.ca/ ), who donated the entire supply. It cures Malaria with 30 drops in 3 hours, and helps rid the body of many other ills as well. These videos explain:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeZsY7iMiqc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80G-Jtb6OsA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp1eqTajcpQ

Later in the journey, I'll bus to Gulu in Northern Uganda with Lucy, where we'll sew more hammocks with kids, fool around with hula hoops, and host a fancy candle light dinner theater in a refugee camp.

The journey blog is published at: http://stitchugandatogether.blogspot.com/

Thom Woolley, another of myself here in London (an art teacher working with www.artiseducation.com ), hosted me the past couple nights and hooked me up with great inspiration watching videos made by his friends touring with Performers Without Borders: http://www.performerswithoutborders.org.uk/

Check these videos: http://pwb.blip.tv/#719036
This is what we aim to do in Uganda. I have a professional video camera kindly on loan from Andrew MacCormack, and Aaron, a friend from BC who is a film maker/ educator/ musician is keen to join me as soon as possible. His site is www.ablemonk.org
Aaron needs a miracle of $800 in donations to buy the tickets needed in the next two days. A little bit from a lot of people could make that happen easy. That's what this is all about. When a lot of people work together, we can do amazing things!
This link goes to the Action Hero Network paypal account: http://www.ihcenter.org/groups/actionheronetwork.html
Aaron has a lot to offer-- gifts I don't have. Together we'll make a great documentary through which you and many others will get to experience this journey. It is like buying your ticket to the movie theater in advance. This is your chance to take part if you have not already. Watch the videos linked above, then take action by making a donation if you can and forward this message on to others.
This is what grassroots activism is all about. Stitch Uganda Together started as a far out vision this time last year, and has been made possible through hammock sales and donations from people like you.

Keep sharing positive media about good things that are happening. We need everyone thinking positive, because we all make a difference where we are in the moment and in the big picture.

Wish us luck, because your thoughts are powerful!

Suggestions and partnerships welcome.

-Cor(azon) <3
http://www.actionheronetwork.net

Cory Richardson: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=906200533
Stitch Uganda Together on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2408133160
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.

- Buckminster Fuller
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect to evolutionary grassroots movements through http://groups.google.com/group/Action-Hero-Network

Action Heroes Unite!

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Stitch Uganda Together -- FINAL PROPOSAL

solomax — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:00:01 GMT

Answering Our Higher Calling

Stitch Uganda Together is an Action Hero Network mission to create a cultural exchange between students at Forest Hills School in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada and youth in Uganda, Africa. It involves donating sewing machines, providing free hammocks to homeless children, and sharing the process online through web cam and digital video as a demonstration of grassroots activism.

We each have the responsibility to continue the growth and evolution of humanity. Be aware that what you do and what you create will have a lasting impression on generations to come. With this awareness, create beauty that will nurture and sustain these future generations and contribute to a more loving and beautiful world for them to live in. Allow yourself to visualize and recognize what you can offer as an unconditional gift for the future of humanity.
-Voice of the Galaxy, by Stacia Alana-Leah and Raymond Mardyks

Wealth of Experience

We have technology to instantly communicate all over the planet, and transportation to carry us anywhere, but what is important to know and worth doing? How can we enrich our lives and make a positive impact in the lives of others?

Being responsible global citizens, we take on challenges far removed from our comfortable lives, because the reward for our service is greater than that which can be measured by material wealth. Not only are we helping others, we also benefit greatly from expanded awareness, meaningful relationships and deep appreciation for the basic elements of life that often get taken for granted, such as clean drinking water. I learned this living with people in rural Mexico—wealth is not how much you have, it is how much you appreciate what you have.

Tribal Workshop

As Citizenship Education Facilitator at Forest Hills School, I offer youth in grades 5 to 8 opportunities to develop character, express creativity and cultivate organizational skills through a variety of artistic workshops which lead to community events where they will be challenged to shine. Using Tribes Learning Communities, we are creating culture through collective consciousness and self expression, which values relationships and environmental awareness.

Everyone has a special gift to share, but too often students move through the system without a lot of attention put into discovering their hidden talents and desires. This unique elective course I have designed is focused on filling this need, and requires children to take responsibility for their personal development and encourages them to actively participate in their communities.

Stitch Uganda Together

Fact: Northern Uganda has been ravaged by civil war for the last 20 years. The people have been robbed of their homes and their livelihoods. The children have been robbed of educations and often times their families through killing, rape of young girls and stealing young boys, forcing them to be child soldiers. Currently, 80% of the overall population of Uganda is youth, of the 80%, 39% are orphans, and 41% are infected with HIV/AIDS. Every family has been torn apart to some extent or another. It is time to help Stitch Uganda Together.

Teaching by example, I will spend the first three weeks of March in Uganda setting up community sewing rooms that will make hammocks for homeless children. These cocoon-style hammocks keep kids healthy off the wet ground and protected from mosquitoes that carry malaria. Many of the boys and girls I encounter will have AIDS. A comfortable place to sleep can significantly help their immune systems and enable them to enjoy a fuller life. The impact of this project will be limited only by the amount of resources we can gather to buy sewing machines, fabric and rope. The cost of a sewing machine is approximately $100, and other materials will be around $15 per hammock.

The goal of this project is not just to provide free hammocks to homeless children or to provide these young people and their communities with a new income generating opportunity. It is a popular movement to demonstrate how the collective power of many people focusing their energy united in purpose can do amazing things, which will inspire a new generation of activists who will accomplish much more.

Here at the school we will have a visual representation of this project in the form of a large tree rooted in our community of supporters from whom the resources are being gathered. Lines will be drawn through the trunk to become branches, which are the sewing machines, and then to the leaves which are the hammocks. Photos of people who receive hammocks and sewing machines will become the fruit on the tree. This tree will serve as an important symbol to show students how grassroots activism connects people to accomplish great tasks through common vision and organization.

Spreading Positive Messages

To amplify the effect of this mission, the journey will be documented on digital video and broadcast live through web cam. Students at Forest Hills and many other schools in New Brunswick have Smart Boards (online interfaces the size of blackboards) in their classrooms and will have the opportunity to experience culture exchanges with youth in Uganda. A youth activism conference in Moncton on March 14th has also requested that I connect with them online. The documentary will later be presented at the Evolve festival, and submitted to the Tidal Wave Film Festival to raise awareness about issues facing Ugandans and gather support for the many non-profit organizations doing important on-going work.

Musician, Educator and filmmaker, Aaron Ableman (www.ablemonk.org) is also planning to join me in Uganda. We will add the video we capture to a global collaboration entitled, Pangea: Stories of Unity and Connection.

A team of filmmakers, artists, social & ecological visionaries are weaving film footage from around the world as evidence to the common needs, ideas, and webs which unite people across time zones, nationalities, and cultural divides. From India to Jamaica, Cuba to Uganda, USA to Lesotho, it is the stories of struggle, inspiration, and ingenuity which never have enough media attention. Ranging from world famous musicians to grassroots organizers, from bee farming country folk to urban ghetto youth, we are privy to an in-depth collage of real life witnesses. A variety of themes sing the praise of clean air, water, land, of laughter, music, spirituality, and finally, the struggle to respect familial roots, community ethic, and ancient traditions above the raging storms of suffering and pollution. Through this creative testament, the film calls to honor the interdependent nature of life on planet earth, thereby ensuring further means of resilience and universal suffrage.

Many courageous humanitarians from New Brunswick are doing great work in Africa, including: John Tremble, the Parish Priest of Quispamsis who built a girl’s school in Uganda with a huge computer lab; Mark Leger toured several months in Ghana with Journalists Without Borders, and Julie Dingwell, director of AIDS Saint John, is currently working in Swaziland, just to name a few. We plan to have these people and many other inspiring action heroes from our community share their stories in person with the students at Forest Hills School. We need these tales of humanitarian adventures to off-set the dominant corporate media culture focused on fear, consumerism, competition and violence.

Preparation

Over the past year, students at Beaconsfield Middle School, Morna Heights Elementary and Rothesay High have sewn hammocks to prove that youth can learn to do it easily, and some of those hammocks are going to Uganda to complete the connection of the lesson.

Several classes at Beaconsfield, two classes of World Issues students at Saint John High, and all students in grades 5 to 8 at Forest Hills watched Invisible Children, a film exposing the effects of a 20 year-long war on the children of Northern Uganda, which you can view online: http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=3166797753930210643&q=%22Invisible+Children%22

At festivals and markets last summer and fall, hammocks were set up for the public to try out and learn about the project. Approximately 40 hammocks were sold to support this effort.

Rogers TV interviewed me twice on its live Daytime talk show, and CBC TV broadcasted two updates on the project, including a feature story Christmas Eve sharing the students at Morna Heights sewing hammocks.

The shots went in my arm many months ago, and I now have lots of contacts in Uganda to help keep me safe. I’m sure this journey will be life changing, as it was for others I’ve found through research.

Invitation

Everyone wants to be rich. Some of us are fortunate to have more opportunities and resources than others. Some of us are not surviving. We dwell in horrifying conditions and don’t know any way out.

It is our obligation, being educated and living abundantly, to do what we can to help others less fortunate. The interesting twist is that the more we give of ourselves, and truly understand the hardships others are going through, the richer we feel. Being of service to others gives our life value and meaning.

There are many projects worth your time and resources that will greatly benefit your community and environment, which is your life support system. I am asking you now to invest in this timely grassroots effort that will make a profound impact in the lives of hundreds of people who need your help in Africa, and hundreds of thousands more around the planet that will be inspired by the positive media and cultural exchanges that will be created.

The mission is simple. Large donations are not required. The objective is to get small investments from a wide base of support to pay for sewing machines, fabric, video equipment and transportation. Can you afford to give just $5? That is all we are asking.

This is how we do it!

In Canada, make your tax-deductible investment by writing a check to the New Brunswick Minister of Finance, c/o: Forest Hills School, Stitch Uganda

If you don’t care about tax deductions, write the check simply to Stitch Uganda Together and send it to Forest Hills School or mail to:

Cory Richardson
2 Fishermen’s Rd
Saint John, NB
E2M-3G9

In the US, your contribution is tax-deductible through The International Humanities Center, but people anywhere can use this Paypal link for fast and secure delivery: http://www.ihcenter.org/groups/actionheronetwork.html

Thanks for your interest and taking the time to read this proposal. I’ll be happy to receive feedback and any questions you have.

In service and celebration,
Cory Richardson
art therapist & common-unity organizer
ActionHeroNetwork.net
cor.contact@gmail.com
506.654.3073

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Biodiesel bus missions

ancientspin — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 01:40:33 GMT

Wow, I read your post about tribal workshops. Very well-put, succinct reminder. I am inspired.
Greetings…
I have seen from your many activities and notes that we are allies and I hope to work with you more directly one day. If you ever get a program together that needs a green tortoise-style school bus as one of the ‘Vehicles for TranzFormNation’ in the fleet, let me know. I met you in New Orleans on my bus at Made With Love Café and Grill. I was hauling superheroes from Oregon…and one of my ‘personas’ is Velvety Black Earth Tongue, here to serve with mycelial networking and earth-connecting vibrant vibrational visioning.

Currently I am living onboard but I am leaving on a mission to the Big I for studies, but will likely return to Oregon in June and so I am creating a few informal tours with instructors of various teachings and their students….Tai Chi retreat with a friend, Paul Deering, and maybe a Yoga and Rock Climbing retreat with others. I am planning a few journeys this year with friends/facilitators of specific skills to share and or healing methods to teach that are best done out in nature ‘on retreat’ from one’s habitual/ordinary life trip.

I have worked out my costs of operation and figured out who to call for technical support for the bus. I have a few allies who drive the bus and cook! as well. The bus has been running on bio-diesel for 3 years and some hoses have been changed out. With another $1,400 investment, it could be outfitted to run on oil efficiently enough.

The bus has two six-foot couch/platforms in front, two tables and bus seat benches, a kitchen area and large 8x10 sleeping platform in the back with storage underneath. There is a 8x10 underbelly storage box and my tools take up a little more than half of the space, but there is room for food, gear, etc. There is a 4x16 railed platform up top accessible from a small steep ladder on the side of the bus. Boxes of food, gear etc. can be handed up there with care. Bikes, kayaks, etc. can be handed up from below off to the side of the bus by two people if trained.
It runs with 135 watt solar panel above that charges two 12V house batteries that run the lights, stereo, fans, 12v water pump and small low-amp personal refrigerator, and power the 1500 watt inverter for more lights, battery chargers, (110 electrical needs are kept to a minimum.) I use a larger cooler and block ice when carrying groups.
The bus can comfortably sleep 10 folks and needs to be less than 14 people traveling at once for legal purposes..and 14 can all lay down at once if they squeeze! A glorified carpool in an RV we are when below that number.
I can drive the bus and cook food for groups, where all folks on the bus share cooking prep and cleaning shifts. We can set up outdoors or cook in the small kitchen set up inside the bus. There is running cold water from a 55 gallon storage tank and another 55 gallon back-up is an option. I have a propane on-demand hot water tank ready to be installed. If hot water heater is installed, it will run to an outdoor shower head.
There is a two-burner propane stove inside and two 5 gallon propane tanks on board that can be hooked up for inside burners and/or outside grilling burners. I use a ‘haybox’ for cooking larger amounts of grains or beans efficiently with less fuel. (see Aprovecho’s model). In sunny climates, a solar cooker can be easily employed for all day sun cooked dishes. Or one can prepare all raw food. I have a 12v blender. I have also made Coconut Bliss at Burning Man with a 110v ice cream maker running off the inverter!!
I travel with a 10x10 pop up and will soon design wings for the sides of the bus to provide sun and rain shelter. I have a couple of fold-out tables and camp chairs.
No bathrooms on board, just personal choice with pee jars and composting toilet/sawdust in a bucket option in emergencies.
We collect compost until we find a suitable compost pile or bury it in the nearest appropriate place. We use water sparingly and offer our non-toxic greywater to the earth where appropriate.

We travel as consciously as we are able to, supporting one another’s well-being and learning to navigate the ship as a team. It builds trust and compassion to travel this way, as you know.

If you are interested in journeying with me in this way with a group who has a resonant mission, please inquire further. I have some open times for committed groups this summer. I am booked for Telluride Blue Grass Festival late June, High Sierra early July, but open from the time following Oregon County Fair until Burning Man, and open after that as well.

Tammy Davis
81868 Lost Valley Lane
Dexter, OR 97431

ancientspin@hotmail.com

541-510-9658

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Call to Action - Please support election transparency!

beaudha — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:24:14 GMT

Please support the initiative for a hand recount in NH!

http://grannywarrior.grannywarrior.chipin.com/recount

this is very important as there is a deadline of 3pm (central) today (Jan 15th) to raise over $10,000 to initiate the recount... but the good news is that if any candidate pulls ahead of any other candidate all money you donate to this cause will be returned!! There could really be no better way to show your support for an open and honest election than to contribute to this cause!

Please send this message as far and wide as you can within the next 5 hours! ---> as broke as I am these days I managed to scratch a hundred bucks up to donate to this... but even if you can only muster $10 wouldn't that be a small price to pay to know that our elections are being performed in a transparent and honest manner?

http://grannywarrior.grannywarrior.chipin.com/recount

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A new group for Eco Sustainable Alternative Tech. Mud Junkies

Zen — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 22:22:30 GMT

Well, I have pulled myself out of the Hawaiian rain forest once again. With months of computer time ahead of me as I write my second book, I decided to finally start a gr
oup focused on the Eco-Ark Project. Its multiple purposes include raising awareness of the Eco-ark being built in the Puna Rain Forest, encouraging others to start similar projects in their own area, sharing ideas and methodologies for accomplishing these goals, spreading ideas concerning sustainable, Eco-friendly technologies and off grid community living. Spreading knowledge of organic permaculture techniques, to encourage the building of community gardens and the growing of food in publicly accessible places (Green Ribbon Project). And helping each other to restoring this planet to its divinely intended Edenic state before it is too late.

This group will also act as a central meeting place for individuals wishing to join in the continued building of the ark on Hawaii Island next summer.

Check out http://tribes.tribe.net/ecoark? to reach Builders of the Arks! Poke around and see if it sounds like a group you would be interested in participating in. We would enjoy input from all positive, creative souls in resurrecting the balance between humanity and our planet. Aloha!

posted in *ACTION HERO NETWORK* - 1 reply

Letters & copies still needed for Juan Ruiz

wendy — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:25:22 GMT

We still need letters of support for Juan Ruiz.
If you already sent a fax or letter of support for Juan to John Wies, the prosecutor in El Centro, Calif, could you please send a copy to us?
We will send copies to Jodi Thorp in San Diego, too.
We need letters from people who know Juan that detail things like volunteer work Juan has done, his school studies, how he has overcome problems from his past and is a valuable productive person, etc.
Timing is important since Juan's next hearing is January 22 and his trial date is in early February.
Please send letters to us at:
The Juan Ruiz Defense Fund
3404 Cross Street
Madison, WI 53711
or
ekelana (at) gmail.com
thank you so much!

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Heartsong 100 with 100 campaign

chaimama — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 02:14:31 GMT

Yo Ya'll, i post this here as so many of you are uber movers and shakers, as well as big fans of the Heartsong Herbal Brewing Company! For those of you who don't know, Heartsong is a tea microbrewery in Ashland Oregon. Our mission is to get people off soda pop, thereby raising the health and vibration of the nation! Thanks for reading this letter!

e

Dear Friends~

2007 has been a big year for the Heartsong Herbal Brewing Company. We moved from the Jacksonville brewery to the Chai Hut in Ashland. We opened the Chai Hut Food Artisans Gallery and Café. We introduced our third Pepper Brew, the Mate Fire. We created “The Goddess” our traveling tea bar. And we built our factory. Meanwhile, we continued serving the regions of Portland, Eugene and Ashland by brewing on the stove in ten-gallon batches and bottling by hand.

We moved to the Chai Hut with one goal: to increase production. But as soon as we moved in, Ashland people began to ask for a teahouse. In response to this demand, the Chai Hut has become a friendly teahouse that promotes organic foods, employs local people, hosts live music, sponsors community meetings, participates in youth internship programs and gives tours.

Our greatest accomplishment this year was the launch of our manufacturing facility. Gone are the days of hand filling and capping every bottle! We now brew in 100-gallon batches and bottle with an automatic filler and capper. With consistent, big batch production, the Heartsong crew is now focused on sales. In December Heartsong products were picked up by Northwest Natural Foods, a Eugene based distributor whose niche is Oregon natural foods. With the help of Northwest Naturals, our products are now available in Bend, Mt. Shasta and at Whole Foods in Portland.

In the past year we’ve invested heavily into our infrastructure with an eye toward creating a long lasting, profitable local business. These investments have not been free, and we find ourselves in the difficult position of having to reconcile our short-term expenses while our sales numbers catch up with our new capacity. Rather than trying to get expensive loans from multinational banking conglomerates to fill this gap, we turn to you, our community to help us through.

We hope to find 100 people who are willing to offer short-term loans of at least $100. We will use this money carefully as working capital, to purchase ingredients and pay bills. We welcome loans with a one-year pay back and we gratefully welcome gifts also. Success in this fund raising campaign will empower Heartsong to expand sales through consistent production. First Heartsong Brews saturate Portland. Second, sales expand to Seattle. Third, we douse San Francisco.

The people of the Heartsong Herbal Brewing Company are both thrilled and grateful to make good tea to for the people of Oregon and beyond. We are excited to leap from the solid foundation we’ve built over this past year, and hope you’ll consider joining us on this journey. We’d love to hear from you! Visit our website www.heartsongchai.com, contact us: info@heartsongchai.com or call (541) 488-5614. Loans and gifts can be made on-line or at the Chai Hut. Please consider sharing this letter with friends!

Cheers to a prosperous 2008, ~The Heartsong Crew

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Juan Ruiz news - good and bad

wendy — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:24:33 GMT

hi all,
this is from the blog:
http://freejuanruiz.blogspot.com/

xxx
wendy
---

Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Hearing results: Good, but not perfect!

Good news from the court hearing today in San Diego. The government has dropped all felony charges
against Juan. Instead, they are charging him with a class C misdemeanor of impeding a federal officer.
Juan pleaded "not guilty" to this charge. The next hearing date is January 22, 2008 for motions related to
this case. The trial, if it should be needed, is scheduled for Feb. 4, 2008. Most likely, the judge will allow
Juan to return to Wisconsin in the interim.

It is likely that the support shown to Juan by folks who signed the petition and wrote letters, etc,
was instrumental in helping the prosecution to see Juan as the good kid that he is. We really
appreciate everyone's support and thank them.

While this is certainly better than the initial charges, it may still be a problem for Juan's immigration
status and ability to obtain US citizenship. We will be consulting with immigration attorneys,
as has his attorney in San Diego, and proceeding cautiously.

Next steps:
1) help Juan get home to Wisconsin,
2) legal help with immigration,
3) prepare defense for this case
4) fundraising for transportation and legal costs. Donations are still needed!

---
there is a link on the blog to donate online,
http://freejuanruiz.blogspot.com/
or
the direct link is
https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=nCSLa0uX14qyL_kQlXZoaZdudFjRJhQMES_agWim2JkEoNkw0a7V3PT2PqC&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f3893a48c4ade7e5f97951af3b1813a459ff5819dec2f8f62

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Any highminded, proactive organizations in Bangkok, ChangMai..?

SouluptuousVoltage — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:44:13 GMT

Warmest hellos to y'all from Portland, Oregon, where it is gently !snowing! as I type,

I haven't been very active on tribe, but there is a motherload of brilliant cerebral and heartful activity goin' on out there amongst the throngs of action heroes in the world....and I thought I'd like to align a bit more. See if our collective experientials have lead anyone to wonderful volunteer organizations in Thailand that are really solid and superbly serving people?
I'd love to hear of any personal or peripheral experiences with organizations in this area, also I'd Love to know a bit about/ details to locate as I plan my exodus to SE Asia, departing this january. I will not be still in these areas all that long, a few weeks each perhaps, but want to weave as much service into this procession as possible.
My interests and skills are vast...a few-acupuncturist, basic carpentry skills, cook, gardener, levity-nurturer!, singer... if that helps stir ideas.
Also, my next two lengthier-stay destinations are Myanmar, and the northern cities of India (over many months).
Thanks for the thoughts.
Smooth winter to all,
-LeoLove C.

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where to send letters for JUAN RUIZ

wendy — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:55:02 GMT

for letters of recommendation/good word for juan:

Jodi Thorp, Juan's attorney, says that it is too late to send anything to Mr. Weis and

she also wants to have copies of any letters so she can use them in Juan's

defense. So, all letters should be sent to her at:

Attorney Jodi Thorp,

Federal Defenders of San Diego

225 Broadway, Ste. 900

San Diego, CA 92101

Phone: 619-234-8467

Fax: 619-687-2666

If they get sent to the prosecutors (i.e. the opposition), then Jodi and

Juan may not get to see them.

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Tribes process -- Opok Farm, Uganda --- Mazatlan Awareness Festival

solomax — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:41:55 GMT

I've not been posting as much on Tribe.net since using facebook.com ...but I don't want to loose touch with all you amazing people, so here is an update.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++Tribes++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I got a job at a K to 8th grade school being a "citizenship facilitator" here at home in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. Gotta love it when positions are created for you! All teachers at this public school are trained in the TRIBES process.

From the Tribes workbook: "The first custom of the Tribes process , no matter where it is used, is to invite people to reflect upon and share their own experiences. The outcome of the Tribes process is to develop a positive environment that promotes human growth and learning. Throughout the process people learn to use specific collaborative skills, and to reflect both on the interaction and the learning that is taking place. The Tribes process not only establishes a caring environment for cooperative learning, but provides structure for positive learning interaction and continuity for working groups whether in the classroom, the faculty, the administration or the parent community."

This is a HUGE step forward in creating a more egalitarian culture, and I'm stoked to be taking part. If you are a teacher, search for "Tribes by Jeanne Gibbs".

++++++++++++++++++++++Stitch Uganda Together++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I'm busy sewing hammocks to fund Opok Farm in Uganda, a re-settlement village for 150 child-headed families. You can learn more and make a donation to support it here: http://www.givemeaning.com/proposal/OpokFarms .

Or buy a hammock($50)... made with the lightest and most durable materials... rip-stop nylon and climbing webbing. You can see them at www.actionheronetwork.net ... email me if you want one... cor.contact@gmail.com ....I can have it to you by Christmas if you order now!

If you use Facebook.... you can join Stitch Uganda Together and stay updated on my project and other positive efforts in Uganda: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2408133160

Updates are also posted through the Action Hero Google group(all action heroes are invited to post to this list): http://groups.google.com/group/Action-Hero-Network

+++++++++++++++++Mazatlan Awareness Festival++++++++++++++++++++

The Roblito Community for Cultural Exchange in Central Mexico had more than a dozen participants gathered through Tribe.net take part last winter. Together our crew donated 5 bikes, dozens of soccer shoes, a piano, a guitar, a dozen dance hoops and a sewing machine. We renovated a playground, did a couple garbage sweeps, lots of beading workshops with mothers and kids, plenty of adventures, life enhancing experiences(Ayahuasca), and general silliness.

In Mazatlan, I made a lot of friends in the tourism industry, and have begun to gather people around the idea of developing a Mazatlan Awareness Festival. Again, if you use Facebook, this is where we are gathering, because more people from Canada and Mexico use it: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19571155904

Below is an invitation and outline to gather interest in this idea. I'll be keen to have you join the circle.

I'd be happy to connect with your through facebook if you also want to be friends there: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=906200533

What you are working on? Maybe I can help someone find you?

Enjoy your journey!

-Cor
506-635-4122

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi everyone! Thanks for your interest in the Mazatlan Awareness Festival. This can go many directions. It depends on who gets involved.

The intention is to bring "awareness" to Mazatlan in two different ways:

In co-operation with tourism operators in Mazatlan and surrounding area, we will increase general awareness of all that the region has to offer through the internet and marketing at festivals and schools in Canada and USA, establishing Mazatlan as a center for eco-tourism.

For the sake of all life on this planet, we must create cultural awareness and build a sustainable infrastructure that support healthy habits and reduce energy consumption. This is a time of great change. We have a lot of work to do in the areas of community organization, understanding natural cycles and learning to live in harmony with nature.

Personally, this festival is an opportunity to unite in a beautiful place with people I love or want to know better, and I am developing tourism businesses to support cultural education centers. My life's purpose is to create and inspire gathering places all over the planet that increase awareness, create solutions, spread love, and help people of all income levels to discover true freedom. I'm open to working with anyone who shares these ideals. We are all on the same team.

Our goal is to create experiences that are culturally rich and creative, luxurious and affordable.

~ Possible outline ~
Day 1:
Morning yoga at Villa Margarita Spa with Roberta.
Afternoon Whale watching with Oscar of Onca Explorations.
Evening presentations and networking at Playa Mazatlan Hotel.

Day 2:
Bus to Palmillas.
Kayak to Roblito with Paul of Sendero Mexico, through Agua Grande estuary.
Camp or stay with a family in Roblito (http://www.solomax.com/roblito.html).

Day 3:
Fishing, surfing, horseback riding, and bird watching.
Finish day with campfire stories, songs, and history lesson about ancient shell mounds.

Day 3:
Garbage sweep the village and create art with found objects.
Cooking lessons become a feast that includes the entire town, which leads to a dance party.

Day 4:
Bike to hot springs and camp for the night.

Day 5:
Bike to Palmillas, try some rock climbing on the way. Stay the night at Elfego's.

Day 6:
Climb Cerro Del Muerto, bus back to Mazatlan for a relaxing ocean-side dinner at Playa Mazatlan Hotel, followed by presentations and reflections.

Day 7:
Form groups to work on community projects.

------------------------------ TAKE PART ------------------------------

We would all love to see your favorite images of Mazatlan in our group photo album. There are currently 115 images I shot last winter. More can be seen at: http://actionhero.smugmug.com

Please introduce yourself and share your thoughts on our wall. This festival could be a very important networking opportunity for whatever you want to do. Maybe you’ll find a new friend or passion that will take your life in a totally new direction.

I’m calling together action heroes from everywhere to sit in a circle in Mazatlan, and I hope you do the same. We might as well start passing the talking stick now to get to know each other. There are already a lot of amazing people in this circle.

If you want to invite a lot of people from your list of friends to join this group, you are welcome to be an admin, which makes the task much easier.

------------------------ LINKS ----------------------------

We Are Many is another “awareness” festival that we could learn from: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4879884806

“The We Are Many Arts and Environmental Festival will take place in Saskatoon(Canada) in August 2008. The organizers, a group of individuals from Saskatoon and elsewhere, have incorporated themselves as a not-for-profit entity to take action for environmental sustainability.”

The Evolve Festival(www.evolvefestival.com) is another great gathering I am involved with here in Eastern Canada. The owner of Evolve, Jonas Colter, is a member of the Mazatlan Awareness Festival group. You can see images I shot at this event (pages 7 to 19): http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?page=7&oid=4048383258&aid=-1&auser=&view=all

http://www.solomax.com/roblito.html --- The village of Roblito is a fishing and farming community on Mexico's Central Pacific Coast -- where Aztecs lived before making Mexico City. The Roblito Community Center for Cultural Exchange is a project between the Action Hero Network and the people of Roblito to share ideas and opportunities that foster education and culture. Join the Roblito tribe: http://tribes.tribe.net/roblito

Fernando Haro (www.sinaloainformative.com) created this website for my tourism project between Palmillas, Sinaloa and Roblito Nayarit: http://www.vivesinaloa.com/kiosko_turistico/productos_turisticos/escuipal.htm

Join Action Hero Network to connect to evolutionary grassroots movements globally, go to: http://groups.google.com/group/Action-Hero-Network

Action Heroes unite!
http://www.actionheronetwork.net

-Corazon
cor.contact@gmail.com

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Juan Ruiz web site - info, updates

wendy — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 22:42:37 GMT

web site about Juan, arrested at no borders protest....

http://freejuanruiz.blogspot.com/

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If you have info about Juan - witnesses, etc

wendy — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:55:42 GMT

INFO NEEDED Update on the arrest of Juan Esteban Ruiz
Update on the arrest of Juan Esteban Ruiz
November 25, 2007

Juan was released on $10,000 bail on Monday, Nov.19th, after being held for
one week in the Imperial County jail in southern California. He is
currently in temporary housing in San Diego, with a close friend from
Madison. His next court date is a hearing on Thursday, Nov. 29th, at which
time the decision of the grand jury about formal charges, will be announced.
At arraignment, he was accused of 2 counts of assaulting a federal officer
with intention to kill or inflict bodily harm. If he is formally charged
with such serious offenses, he faces a federal criminal case possibly
leading to trial, a process that usually takes months. It is likely that he
will be required to stay in southern California during most or all of this
time.

Attorney Jodi Thorp, in the federal public defenders office, is representing
him in the criminal case. She is a very experienced attorney in this area
and has been gathering witness statements and information to help Juan.
Please send any relevant information to her at:

Jodi Thorp
Federal Defenders of San Diego
225 Broadway, Ste. 900
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-234-8467
Fax: 619-687-2666

Along with the criminal case, there are also potential immigration issues.
Juan's medical needs are currently under good control.

If Juan has to stay in San Diego for the winter, he will need support with
safe housing, transportation and medical help. He has no family or close
friends in San Diego.

We are actively soliciting donations to support Juan in his legal battles
and sustain him through the next few months. Donations can be sent by
check to:
GDC Legal Defense Fund
P.O. Box 2442
Madison, WI 53701

(write "Juan" in the memo line) Whatever funds the GDC raises that are not
exhausted in defense of Juan (likely there won't be any extra), will be part
of the revolving fund for the next person who gets targeted for their
political activities.

We are also working on securing an online donation option and a dedicated
website for support for Juan.

Any suggestions to help him avoid deportation will be greatly appreciated.
Please feel free to call or write me, and to pass this on to any who might
be interested.

Thanks to everyone,
Laurel
laurelmark (at) gmail.com

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SIGN THE PETITION to drop Juan's charges! FIRMA LA PETICIÓN para que se retiren los cargos contra Juan!

kilo — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:34:52 GMT

please forward widely / por favor, manda por todos lados
español al fondo

SIGN THE PETITION to drop Juan's charges!

Sign an online petition to have Juan Ruiz's ridiculous charges dropped! This petition will be sent to the US Attorney who is prosecuting Juan's case. Juan's indictment hearing is scheduled in just a few days, on Thursday, November 29. Sign in support now!

Sign the petition here
www.thepetitionsite.com/1/dropjuanscharges

Juan Ruiz was arrested November 11, 2007 by the Border Patrol in downtown Calexico, CA, at the closing rally of the No Borders Camp. After a week of cordial relationships between camp participants and Border Patrol agents, the Border Patrol attacked the peacefully assembled crowd with pepper spray bullets and batons. They made three arrests, including Juan Ruiz, who is charged with two counts of assault on a federal officer. These charges are ridiculous - if anyone was assaulted in this incident, it was Juan and fellow camp participants.

For more information about the No Borders Camp, including video of this incident, see www.noborderscamp.org

It is important to note that the violence activists faced on Sunday was only a small sliver of what migrants face on a daily basis from the Border Patrol. Due to this highly militarized border, many people attempting to cross die of dehydration and exposure as they cross the desert. Others are held for indefinite amounts of time in detention facilities with no way to contact loves ones, or are physically assaulted and killed by the same people who assaulted and arrested the three activists sunday. The number of migrants that have died crossing the border since the inception of Operation Gatekeeper in 1994 has exceeded 4,000 and that "official" estimate doesn't even including the many people who simply disappear, dying alone in the desert, their bodies never discovered. The Border Patrol are violent thugs who enact their violence on innocent civilians simply trying to make a better life for themselves and their families.

¡FIRMA LA PETICIÓN para que se retiren los cargos contra Juan!

¡Firma una petición para que se retiren los cargos ridículos contra Juan Ruiz! La petición será entregada al fiscal federal que esta procesando el juicio de Juan. El juicio de acusación de Juan es programado por muy pronto, por jueves el 29 de noviembre. ¡Firma para brindar tu apoyo ya!

Firma la petición aquí
www.thepetitionsite.com/1/dropjuanscharges

Juan Ruiz fue arrestado el 11 de noviembre de 2007 por la Patrulla Fronteriza el en centro de Calexico, CA, durante la mitin de clausura del Campamento Contra las Fronteras. Después de una semana de relaciones cordiales entre los participantes del campamento y los agentes de la Patrulla Fronteriza, la Patrulla Fronteriza atacó el muchedumbre pacifico con balas de gas pimienta y macanas de acero. Había tres arrestos, incluyendo Juan Ruiz, quien tiene dos cargos de asalto a un agente federal. Los cargos son ridículos - si alguien fue asaltado durante el incidente, sería Juan y los otros participantes en el campamento.

Para ver más información sobre el Campamento Contra las Fronteras, incluyendo vídeo del incidente, ve a www.noborderscamp.org .

Es importante notar que la violencia que activistas sufrieron el domingo pasado es solo un pequeño pedazo de lo que emigrantes enfrentan a diario de parte de la migra. Debido a esta frontera sumamente militarizada, muchas personas tratando de cruzar mueren de deshidratación y exposición al caminar el desierto. Otros son detenidos por tiempo indefinido sin manera de contactar sus seres queridos, o son asaltados y hasta asesinados por las mismas personas quienes asaltaron y arrestaron a tres activistas el domingo. El numero de emigrantes quienes han muerto al cruzar desde el comienzo de "Operación Guardián" en 1994 ya excede 4,000 y esta cuenta "oficial" no incluye los muchos quienes simplemente desaparecen, muriendo solos en el desierto, sus cuerpos nunca recuperados. La patrulla fronteriza es una bola de matones violentos quienes promulgan su violencia en contra de personas inocentes y miembros de la sociedad civil quienes simplemente están intentando crear una vida mejor para si mismos y sus familias.

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Sea Shepherd in the New Yorker

DarklingThrush — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 14:34:12 GMT

NEPTUNE'S NAVY
Paul Watson’s wild crusade to save the oceans.
by Raffi Khatchadourian

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/11/05/071105fa_fact_khatchadourian?currentPage=1

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HELP JUAN - SEND FAX ASAP

wendy — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:00:17 GMT

dear all,
letters of recommendation/character witness/good word about juan
will help a lot
and need to be sent to the prosecutor right away.
if you know juan, please write a letter about his good works,
that he is kind, gentle, caring, generous,
that he grew up in Madison WI since age 4 and speaks English and
graduated from Shabazz high school in madison, wi-- anything like
that. (more info below)

thank you so much!
love
wendy

send a fax of your letter
(and you can send a paper copy later, too, but something right away is
important)
to

John Weis
U.S. Attorney's Office
Fax: (760) 335-3975
RE: U.S. vs Juan Esteban Ruiz

please do this today or tomorrow or as soon as possible!

here are some things about juan you could also mention:
juan has done over nine months worth
of relief work on the gulf coast.
he worked at the emergency communities relief kitchens in waveland, ms,
and in arabi, buras, la., and with common ground collective in new orleans, la.
he worked in the relief kitchens and did some house gutting and construction.
he made a radio documentary about waveland right after katrina for
WORT radio in madison.
he has also worked with food not bombs, student labor action coalition
(anti-sweatshop and local labor issues, social justice) and local peace groups.
he is also a musician and artist and was in the madison band, the rose.

here are
links to flyer for juan,news,and wort, emergency communities, common ground,
if you need more info

flyer for juan
in pdf format
http://slac.rso.wisc.edu/flyers/policestatevictim3-w.pdf
or a word doc
http://slac.rso.wisc.edu/flyers/policestatevictim3-w.doc

San Diego Indymedia
http://sandiego.indymedia.org/

No Borders Camp
http://noborderscamp.org/

Emergency Communities
http://www.emergencycommunities.org/

Common Ground Collective
www.commongroundrelief.org

WORT 89.9FM Community Radio Station: Madison, Wisconsin
wort-fm.org

and here is the legal defense fund to send donations to
GDC Legal Defense Fund (for Juan)
P.O. Box 2442
Madison, WI 53701

posted in *ACTION HERO NETWORK* - 0 replies

Juan Ruiz arrested at the No Borders camp -California - Mexican border

wendy — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:49:59 GMT

dear all,
my dearest friend, juan esteban ruiz, was arrested at a peaceful protest
at the no borders demonstration this weekend.
(more information below in the message from another friend,
and at http://sandiego.indymedia.org ).
juan has done a lot of volunteer work with emergency communities and common ground
in new orleans, buras, and arabi, louisiana, and waveland, mississippi,
and has worked with food not bombs, the student labor action coalition,
and other social justice and peace groups here in madison, wisconsin
(where he lives, with me).
he has also gone to several rainbow gatherings.
juan is the most kind, caring, beautiful person i know.
there are two legal funds, one here in madison and the no borders camp one,
and the information for both is below.
thank you all so much.
love
wendy

i don't come on to tribe.net that often,
but you can email me at ekelana (at) gmail.com

---forwarded message---
Dear Friends,

In case you haven't heard, my "foster" child, Juan Ruiz has been
arrested while taking part in a demonstration at the
California-Mexican border. The demonstration was organized by the
group, No Borders Camp, and had been going on peacefully for 6 days
before Nov. 11th, when the federal agents reacted. You can see a very
scary video taken by a bystander/participant on their website:

http://noborderscamp.org

Click on the picture of the snarling authorities.
The kid who is drumming is Juan.

Juan is currently in the Imperial County jail, awaiting arraignment in
federal court on charges of assaulting or impeding a federal officer -
unclear at this point. Because he is not a US citizen, he is also
under review by the Dept of Homeland Security and may face deportation
proceedings after the federal case is dealt with. He also has a
serious medical problem for which he needs daily meds and most of the
first 36 hours of his incarceration were spent by his supporters
trying to get the jail to give him his meds. That at least seems to
have been accomplished as of last night.

Juan is a permanent legal resident of the US. He came to Wisconsin
from Colombia with his mother and older sister at age 4 and grew up in
the Madison area, graduating from Shabbaz City High School in 2005.
His mother, sister and grandmother are legal permanent residents and
his grandfather is a citizen I believe. He has been involved in
activism about poverty and community support, and anti-war work. He
is a musician, drummer and poet and has a passion for rhythmic music.
Those of you who know him know that he is a very warm hearted generous
guy who is open to the world and engaged with people on a deep level.
Because of some teenage legal issues - none of which involved drugs or
violence, thank G-d - his immigration status may be in jeopardy
regardless of the outcome of this event.

We have been helping find legal counsel for Juan both for the criminal
charge and the immigration issue and are in close touch with NO
Borders Camp, which is set up in El Centro, California, the county
seat of Imperial County. He has supporters in the area right now and
hopefully until there is a resolution. Here in Madison, the Infoshop
has dedicated a fund to help with Juan's legal defense - the Madison
Area General Defense Committee (MAGDC) Legal Defense Fund. This fund
has been used to help dozens of local activists since it was founded
in the aftermath of the massive anti-sweatshop arrest on campus a
decade ago.

Folks can make out checks to:
GDC Legal Defense Fund
P.O. Box 2442
Madison, WI 53701

or drop off donations or checks for the "GDC Legal Defense Fund",
care of the Madison Infoshop, 1019 Williamson St. #B, Madison, WI
53703 or call John at 608-262-9036 with questions. You can ask that
your donation goes to help Juan. Whatever funds the GDC raises that
are not exhausted in defense of Juan will be part of the revolving
fund for the next person who gets targetted for their political
activities.

OR - donations can be sent to No Borders Camp at: http://noborderscamp.org
There is a paypal account to give donations.

Also, any suggestions you can offer to help him avoid deportation will
be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to call or write me.
Feel free to pass this on to any who might be interested.

Love,
Laurel

posted in *ACTION HERO NETWORK* - 0 replies

Call to action and updates from Stitch Uganda Together

solomax — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:23:09 GMT

Stitch Uganda Together is developing in many positive directions......

Most of all... please VOTE for the Opok Farm proposal at Givemeaning.com -- http://www.givemeaning.com/proposal/OpokFarms

Opok Farm... read their story: http://www.omidyar.net/user/u618296607/news/18/

Opok Farm group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6529706581

______________________________________

Lisa Lynam in Victoria BC will soon be in Northern Uganda to volunteer with Watoto Villages and will report back to this group with her experience. See her successfully funded project at Givemeaning.com: http://www.givemeaning.com/project/Watoto
___________________________________________

Siena Anstis, a former volunteer in Uganda with Concordia University, has created a new organization and website: http://www.intheirshoescanada.org

_____________________________________

Funds raised thus far from hammock sales purchased 100 yards of rip-stop fabric and 2700ft of webbing. Now, %100 of hammock sales will go toward building a bamboo dome at Opok Farm and buying sewing machines to set up a workshop where hammocks will be made to help the farm be sustainable.

You can get one of these ultra-light travel hammock for $50 at http://www.actionheronetwork.net

Tanya Whitney, principal of Forest Hills Middle school here in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada is helping set up a sewing workshop for her students to get involved in this project sewing hammocks.

I wrote Tanya today saying, "The hammock design is very simple and your older kids shouldn't have a problem. It will be a good test to know what kids in Uganda may be able to do. I could even take the hammocks they make to Uganda with me and take photos of kids using them there to show the students who make them. I'm sure your students would like that better than selling them. For me the issue is luggage. We can work on it. I just need to manage creating a product that is safe. We can make them in time for Christmas gifts also. The materials are around $10 per hammock, which I have already paid for using the funds generated from the project thus far. If the kids are taking hammock home they will need to pay for them, but if they are going to Uganda, that's fine... I got it covered!"

________________________________

I've done presentations in a couple Saint John schools sharing the need for attention in Uganda to get students thinking about what can be done to build communities for the orphaned children. I plan to create sewing workshops in several schools where students can help raise funds for Opok Farm village by making hammocks. I hope to partner with The Marimichi Uganda Foundation and do a presentation at the youth prison in Marimichi, and get youth there doing the same. I worked for John Howard Society last year, so they are willing to help me get into the prison.

We need markets for the hammocks we are making. Anyone could use a travel hammock, so they are perfect gifts. Organizations or companies could buy quantities of these hammocks to sell to their members or give to their employees. The plan is to set up a hammock making business in Uganda. To do this I need investors and people to buy the hammocks before I go to Uganda. This could be a big step toward making the farm sustainable.

This is a 3000 acre farm, which will be made into a village for 150 child-headed families. It is a very exciting opportunity for these youth, and those who get to work with them. The farm also has huge potential for being an eco-tourism destination to foster a culture of caring and sustainable development.

Currently the Opok Farm team has a proposal that needs votes on Givemeaning.com and it would be very helpful to have your support: http://www.givemeaning.com/proposal/OpokFarms

Our facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2408133160

This link talks about my project to build a bamboo dome to serve as a community center, dorm and workshop at Opok Farm: http://www.ned.com/group/opokfarms/news/2/

______________________________

A survey will soon be sent to the Action Hero Network Google Group to create a data base of members, like a phone book, listing the activists in our circle and the organizations they are associated with and areas of interest, including business, so that we can better find each other, communicate our action plans, calls for support or voice concerns. This network is not just for when things go wrong... but to create the world we want.

This new listing will be forwarded to everyone in the Google Group. I know most of the people, and they are all doing great things, but they don't know each other. If you are not part of this circle already and would like to be, join and feel free to post: http://groups.google.com/group/Action-Hero-Network ...we all make it what it is!

The Action Hero Google Group has recently been open up so all members can message to the entire group. The purpose of this group is to promote what activists are doing everywhere, and to foster more connections, because we are all on this adventure in humanity together. It will be interesting to see what you are all working on.

Feel free to use any of the Action Hero groups to post information promoting your work... or inspiring stuff from other heroes.

Razoo.com: http://beta.razoo.com/groups/action_hero_network
Facebook.com: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2266028687

Again...please VOTE for the Opok Farm proposal at Givemeaning.com -- http://www.givemeaning.com/proposal/OpokFarms

posted in *ACTION HERO NETWORK* - 0 replies

an initiation ceremony for the crazed and channelling

carlos-ity — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 23:57:13 GMT

I would like to envision, with your input, possible "initiation ceremonies" for those who are labeled crazy amongst us, and usually encouraged or coerced to seek so-called "professional help". The more creative your vision, the better. The more outlandish, the more possibly inspiring, brainstorm-style!

i got this particular idea after reading the following:

"Instead of the degradation ceremonial of psychiatric examination, diagnosis and prognostication, we need, for those who are ready for it (in psychiatric terminology, often those who are about to go into a schizophrenic breakdown), an initiation ceremonial, through which the person will be guided with full social encouragement and sanction into inner space and time, by people who have been there and back again. Psychiatrically, this would appear as ex-patients helping future patients to go mad."

from:
http://www.laingsociety.org/colloquia/peaceconflict/divisions.levine.htm

There is some really good reading here. Here are some excerpts for the expected skeptics to think about:

"In the opinion of Dr. Thomas Szasz, psychiatry may be the new secular religion in an age of pseudo-science:

"The discerning reader may detect a faint note of familiarity here. Modern psychiatric ideology is an adaptation-to a scientific age-of the traditional ideology of Christian theology. Instead of being born into sin, man is born into sickness. Instead of life being a vale of tears, it is a vale of diseases. And, as in his journey from the cradle to the grave man was formerly guided by the priest, so now he is guided by the physician. In short, whereas in the Age of Faith the ideology was Christian, the technology clerical, and the expert priestly; in the Age of Madness the ideology is medical, the technology clinical, and the expert psychiatric.

"Thus psychiatry, like the nuclear family, becomes an instrumental motive force in the creation of the total social institution; through a process of mystification, both define normality and mould the individual into the one-dimensional shape of social utility. Laing calls this mystification a political act of "violence masquerading as love". "

and:

"'From the moment of birth, when the Stone Age baby confronts the twentiety-century mother, the baby is subjected to these forces of violence, called love, as its mother and father, and their parents and their parents before them, have been. These forces are mainly concerned with destroying most of its potentialities, and on the whole this enterprise is successful. By the time the new human being is fifteen or so, we are left with a being like ourselves, a half-crazed creature more or less adjusted to a mad world. This is normality in our present age.'

"Some people can adapt to this system. We call them normal. "Society highly values its normal man. It educates children to lose themselves and to become absurd, and thus to be normal," Laing tells us. "Normal men have killed perhaps 100,000,000 of their fellow normal men in the last fifty years." But some cannot adapt to this imposed normality. They break down. Instead, they devise a strategy to deal with their inability to hold their invalidated experience ant their sense of themselves together. As Laing puts it, "it seem to us that without exception the experience and behaviour that gets labeled schizophrenic is a special strategy that a person invents in order to live in an unlivable situation".

"Though, in [David] Cooper's phrase, the schizophrenic may look like someone whose "logic" is "ill", he is, in reality, someone, who has been made an invalid because his experience has been invalidated. For Laing and Cooper, schizophrenia is no 'something happening in a person but rather something between persons". Thus when one psychiatrist calls schizophrenia "a failure of human adaptation", Laing responds that it may as well be "a successful attempt not to adapt to pseudo-social realities". It all seems to be a matte of perspective: "Schizophrenia is a label affixed by some people to others in situations where an interpersonal disjunction of a particular kind is occurring. This is the nearest one can get at the moment to something like an 'objective' statement, so called."

"The validity of a definition is ultimately determined by the identity of the one who is defining. It is in this context that Laing argues: "There is no such 'condition' a 'schizophrenia,' but the label is a social fact and the social fact a political event." Seen from this radical perspective, all our definitions may have to be turned upside down ant inside out. "What we call 'normal' is", according to Laing "a product of repression, denial, splitting, projection, introjection and other forms. of destructive action on experience.... It is radically estranged from the structure of being." No wonder, then, that "the condition of alienation, of being asleep, of being unconscious, of being out of one's mind, is the condition of the normal man." On the other hand schizophrenia may be seen as an alienation from this alienation, where, "even through his profound wretchedness and disintegration", the patient may be "the hierophant of the sacred". Finally, "madness need not be all breakdown. It may also be break-through. It is potential liberation and renewal as well as enslavement and existential death."

"In _The Politics of Experience_, Laing describes how, in some instances, breakdown does become break-through; transforming the "schizophrenic experience" into a "transcendental experience". As depicted by Gregory Bateson, the schizophrenic embarks upon a voyage from the "outer" world of the "ego" to the "inner" world of the "self" -and back out again. He regards it as an archetypal journey that bears a close resemblance to descriptions of religious experience:

"It would appear that once precipitated into psychosis the patient has a course to run. He is, as it were, embarked upon a voyage of discovery which is only completed by his return to the normal world, to which he comes back with insights different from those of the inhabitants who never embarked on such a voyage."

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Looking for Loved Ones? / Calif. wildfire victims / aid sought

Zen — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:42:13 GMT

Looking for Loved Ones - Safe and Well: Safe and Well is a nationally accessible website, developed as a free community service by the American Red Cross, that provides a way for individuals affected by a disaster (within the U.S.) to list themselves as "safe and well." Then, loved ones can check on the status of their family and friends. Register and connect at 1-800-RED CROSS or www.redcross.org.

Orange County Rescue Mission is accepting all non-perishable donations and gift certificates to restaurants Monday through Friday between the hours of 8am and 6pm Map to Orange County Rescue Mission. They are also asking groups to organize canned food drives, for more information please visit www.operationoc.org

Wildfire Volunteer Information
If you would like to help please do not attempt to go to the affected areas. Trained first responders are in place and assisting where needed. Intentions may be for the best but going to evacuated or hazardous areas only slows efforts and creates distractions.

Below please find additional resources which may be useful to people affected by the fires:

• County of Orange Public Information Hotline: 714/628-7085

• 2-1-1 Orange County (resources and connectivity): 2-1-1, or on a cell phone dial 1-888-600-4357

• Orange County Fire Authority (fire containment/evacuation information): 714/573-6000 or www.ocfa.org

• San Diego Update Hotline: 619/570-1070

• San Bernadino County Public Information Line: 909/355-8800

• Food Donation Drop Off Sites (as of 10-25-07):

Community Action Partnership Food Bank (12640 Knott Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92841)

Second Harvest (426 A Almond, Orange, CA 92866)

Rescue Mission/Village of Hope M-F 8am-6pm - non-perishable food or gift certificates for food (1 Hope Dr., Tustin, CA)

• Donation of Goods (as of 10-25-07):

Goodwill (check your phone book for your nearest location.) When your donation is designated for fire victims, Goodwill issues vouchers to Red Cross. These vouchers are then distributed through Red Cross disaster service centers to individuals affected by the fires.

Community Action Partnership Food Bank - accepting personal items, hygiene kits (toiletries, shaving kits, etc.), diapers, clothing, household goods (12640 Knott, Garden Grove, CA 92841)

Working Wardrobes (11614 Martens River Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708)

The American Red Cross of Orange County is staffing its emergency operations center around-the-clock and is working to assist our communities with Red Cross services as needed. Thank you for your support.

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New Aerial silks Video up

LynxmagicCirque — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:43:56 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So_dvavF2lM

Here's footage of my recent performance on the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon

posted in *ACTION HERO NETWORK* - 0 replies

Letter to Abe a minute ago, feeling nostalgic.

solomax — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:04:54 GMT

Keep wishing, dreaming, and making those visions clear as can be, and you shall find yourself in those places with those people you are dreaming of, my friend.

Last night I was sharing poems with a love, and found this one from long ago ( http://www.solomax.com/sep.24.3.html ):

Life is the Oyster

Souls and late-night conversations,
With those who would change the world.
With those who are changing the world.

Laying on floors,
Sitting on counters.
Under streetlights.
In parked cars,
Empty parking lots.

We are those who are free.

We are the ones who have escaped entrapment.
We are the movers, the shakers, the thinkers, the speakers.

Our power does not come from finite finances,
But from something far more vast.
Our power comes from the most potent infinity
Of possibility itself.

We are those who carry the hearts of humanity forward with our inspiration.
We are the voices of passion, of emotion, of struggle.
We are the toil, the pain, the pleasure, the joy, and the ecstasy.
We are the celebration of imperfection in all of its glorious beauty.
We are the oddballs, the outcast, the freaks and the entertainers.

We are the dreamers.

Much love along your journies,
- JAmie S. Uyematsu

++++++

Just now, after reading that journal page where I found this poem, I see that Jeff and Carrie were in Mexico with me this past year, and the dreams I shared years before about the school in Mexico, have now become reality.

in 20 minutes I teach a world issues class here at the high school I attended.... sharing a presentation about problems and solutions for Uganda, and ideas about activism and community. It was in this very room where I dreamed about kayaking around north america at age 17. I've come full circle.

Have a memorable day! I'm glad to know you have a good boy to share it with.

-C

Ps... I'm going to share this email on the action hero tribe. I'm feeling like this is an important moment. Thanks for helping create it.

posted in *ACTION HERO NETWORK* - 0 replies

This is why we do what we do

Itopea — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 14:25:31 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g8cmWZOX8Q

posted in *ACTION HERO NETWORK* - 0 replies

update on the Action hero google group ... and a bit about my scene.

solomax — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 06:48:24 GMT

This is Cor, and you are part of the Action Hero Network ... everyone is really...!

But... we also have a Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/Action-Hero-Network

The focus of this group is "information and inspiration
to empower and activate." Let us know what inspires you... or concerns you... and inform us on how we can get involved.

This group has been facilitated to only send out bi-weekly Cor Reports, which as may you know, are a compilation of the emails sent to me, and whatever I find elsewhere, along with information about the projects I'm working on. However, messages are often timely, and it is best that I pass them on sooner than later.

To enable this grassroots network to grow wildly, members now have the opportunity to connect directly to each of the 109 amazing people in this group... simply by sending an email to Action-Hero-Network@googlegroups.com

Jillian, an amazing raw food goddess in Oakland, has a great community group called Life As Art, and it has inspired me to make Action Hero a group for open communication as well. I think it will become the backbone of this network, since we are spread between tribe.net, razoo.com, ned.com, facebook.com ...and all the other networks.

There is so much new stuff going everywhere, I don't want to slow down the flow. The revolution is happening. I trust you all to use your powers for good. Please do not abuse this by forwarding silly things... unless it is really silly and we'll all have a good laugh. Staying on the light side is very important too, because as activists we are often dealing with issues that are not so funny.

If you would rather only get a weekly or daily digest, you may change your setting here:
http://groups.google.com/group/Action-Hero-Network

++++++

This is where I'm at...

Most of the past week I was in retreat on Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick. After turning 30, last week, I did a face-plant in the middle of the street when an early morning circus trick involving a friend hula hooping while riding my back went wrong. I looked like Two-Face from Batman. I'm fine now after lots of rest and fresh air.

I made a fish sculpture out of beach glass and wire, and hiked along a beautiful coastal trail on Grand Manan with Argon visiting from Portland, Oregon. He has been on Super Hero bike rides and joined Action Heroes last winter in Roblito, Mexico -- that's Argon in the green shirt: http://actionhero.smugmug.com/gallery/2571309#136653110

I stayed at Jame's cabins on Castalia Marsh. He's the guy that owns the Tribal Spaceship.. whenever we are ready. These are images from hangin' with James and Vanessa on Grand Manan this time last year: http://actionhero.smugmug.com/gallery/1970187#P-1-9

James is looking for someone to work-trade next spring, summer and fall... working in the garden and cooking meals... in exchange for room and board in the magical world he created on Grand Manan. It would be prefect for a writer or artist who wants to live in a quiet, beautiful place: http://www.sea-landadventures.com/

My most amazing 30th birthday gift was from Amy Gow, who sent this reminder, showing that really my birthday was a shared experience with my mother. I've certainly been a bigger pain in the ass than this kid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aht0HqI7GSw

I've spent all after noon and evening making hammocks and listening to the news on TV. Wear red on Friday in support of our brothers and sisters in Burma. Those are some action heroes!

Bedtime for me here in Eastern Canada.

With love,
Cor <3

PS.... how are you? Whatz going on in your world? Letz see some action in this tribe!

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*ACTION HERO NETWORK*'s topics - tribe.net

If you can't feel your own miraculousness, you are missing the quintessential experience of life.

04/19-04/24 Introduction to Cob and Natural Building Prescott, AZ

re: note sent concerning Ugandan peoples and foreign aid

Life in Africa - HQ in Gulu

Sanity in a mad world

Listen to it

I fly out tonight to Uganda

Stitch Uganda Together -- FINAL PROPOSAL

Biodiesel bus missions

Call to Action - Please support election transparency!

A new group for Eco Sustainable Alternative Tech. Mud Junkies

Letters & copies still needed for Juan Ruiz

Heartsong 100 with 100 campaign

Juan Ruiz news - good and bad

Any highminded, proactive organizations in Bangkok, ChangMai..?

where to send letters for JUAN RUIZ

Tribes process -- Opok Farm, Uganda --- Mazatlan Awareness Festival

Juan Ruiz web site - info, updates

If you have info about Juan - witnesses, etc

SIGN THE PETITION to drop Juan's charges! FIRMA LA PETICIÓN para que se retiren los cargos contra Juan!

Sea Shepherd in the New Yorker

HELP JUAN - SEND FAX ASAP

Juan Ruiz arrested at the No Borders camp -California - Mexican border

Call to action and updates from Stitch Uganda Together

an initiation ceremony for the crazed and channelling

Looking for Loved Ones? / Calif. wildfire victims / aid sought

New Aerial silks Video up

Letter to Abe a minute ago, feeling nostalgic.

This is why we do what we do

update on the Action hero google group ... and a bit about my scene.

ACTION HERO NETWORK's topics - tribe.net