“In the 1920s O G S Crawford invented aerial archaeology, one of many services this eccentric Marxist misanthrope performed for the study of antiquity.”
- Jonathan Meades: Link

Bloody Old Britain: O G S Crawford and the Archaeology of Modern Life

By Kitty Hauser

Granta Books, 286pp

Amazon: Link

“Future archaeologists will perhaps excavate the ruined factories of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries when the radiation effects of Atom bombs have died away.”
- O. G. S. Crawford, from Archaeology in the Field (1953)

O. G. S. Crawford @ Wikipedia: Link.

~ Karl Jones

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Rome: It’s beautiful and it’s not. Kinda like everything else in life.

“La prossima fermata è Roma Termini.”

I moved to Italy to live at the end of September last year. I lived in Brescia (a medium-sized city in Northern Italy) until March 1, when I moved to Siena.

(I am once again back in Brescia, but that’s a story I’m going to save for another day.)

I picked up some vocabulary during those first five months in Italy, but it wasn’t until I started attending an Italian class for immigrants in Siena that I really started learning the language.

Now, finally!, I understand much of what is being said either to me or around me. The language no longer sounds foreign or like pretty sounds flowing forth from people’s mouths. Although I’m more motivated to learn the language–because it finally seems like an achievable goal to converse fluently–the glossy veneer of the nonsensical musical sounds has dulled. I don’t know, there’s something about understanding when somebody complains about the weather (or conversely, the ease in which I can complain about it) that makes any language sound less romantic.

Shiny glossy veneers are so overrated. Don’t you think? I mean, a veneer is just a thin expensive sheet of wood (or metal) with layers upon layers of unusually toxic clear varnish. If it wasn’t for the common cheap material beneath (like pine or regular mild steel), the veneer would have nothing to attach itself to.

And I’ve always preferred the look of a dull, used or aged finish anyway…and now that I’ve exhausted my analogy I’m finished with this post.

But one more thing before I go to bed on this hot summer night: it is nice to know that you can simply listen to the conductor to know when your next stop is and not have the nervous wondering of whether you’ve missed it or have yet to arrive.

Arrivederci a dopo.

~Janelle Renée

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Natural Touch is a Non Governmental Organisation based in Calabar the Eastern part of Nigeria.The inspiration come from a point of observation of handicapped people and Children roaming the streets of some citites in Nigeria mostly in Calabar begging for alms.
Most of them at the end of the day retired to uncompleted buildings to pass the night,It was a very gory site when a reported case of ritual dehumanising killing of two of such people in a street close to my residence.These two were killed and some part of them remove for rituals activities or some other things not quite known to us.

So touched by such inhuman treament to people because of their inability to defend themselves or provide proper accomodation for themselves,and even a source of livelihood was traumatic,hence,my decision to get the NGO (NATURAL TOUCH) started,with the aim to provide food and shelter for the hanicapped.Make sure there is a future for them and security of life for them.

Upon our inception,we had limited our intention to mostly the young ones and average aged.Although we could not provide accomodation for them but we  provide the basic needs which is food for them atleast once a day.

It is our aim to increase the feeding arrangement to twice a day and also build a home for them.It is our aim to accomodate at least 2000-5000 handicapped people of difiers ages in the home,and Animals too.
With support from other Organisations/Individauls that are touched just as we are.We will establish a school or a handicraft centre for them to study and become independent of their own in future.
Suffice to say here that most of them roam the street with torn cloths and look unkept,We also provide clothing where necessary and affordable to them.
Based on our inability to sustain the financial burden,we are looking forward to Groups or Individuals with similar passion as we have towards uplifting the living standard of these hadicapped and also thinking of ensuring their future.

We are planning of building a home for them in Calabar to accomodate the handicapped and also recruit personnels to take care of their cooking and tranining.
We look forward to support  from passionate groups and individuals.
Thanks,
Dennis

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Technology for human needs:

• The Outquisition
• Engineers Without Borders
• MIT International Design Summit
• Free/Open Appropriate Technology
• Transition Towns
• Technology for Humanity

(...)
Read the rest of Technology for Humanity (735 words)

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A beautiful video about being, flowing, oneness and now.  The Zen Way. Produced by Jon Braeley and Empty Mind Films. Hope you enjoy the space of peace Zen creates.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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“I’m slightly afraid that fewer and fewer people will want to devote their whole life to one experiment. This may be a problem.”

- Michal Tomášek

One experiment, one life

The scale and complexity of the LHC [Large Hadron Collider] can only be rivaled by some of the greatest scientific efforts ever made, such as the race to the moon or the development of the atomic bomb. More so than those efforts, the LHC is truly international, which is made clear on a visit to its outdoor cafeteria, where, in the shadow of Mont Blanc, a multitude of languages can be heard.

The duration of the experiment — about two decades on, it is only about to begin, and it could likely operate for 20 years — means that some physicists will spend their whole careers devoted solely to the LHC. This concerns Michal Tomášek, a Czech physicist who works on Atlas.

“Back when I was a student,” he says, “there were 20 to 40 experiments that lasted five to six years, and you had an opportunity to go from one to another. … [Now] it’s really one experiment for one life.

“I’m slightly afraid that fewer and fewer people will want to devote their whole life to one experiment. This may be a problem.”

- Paul Voosen @ The Prague Post - September 3rd, 2008.

Large Hadron Collider @ Wikipedia

~ Karl Jones

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I was wondering if there were actually people out there who have changed their lifestyles to be more eco-friendly. I searched the internet to see who was doing what. Are people Makin’ it Green? The answer is a resounding… Yes!!!

One man moved to the New Mexico wilderness to live without oil. Another family in California changes their urban yard into a farm complete with animals. And a Canadian couple goes off the grid but keeps their middle class lifestyle. And there are a lot more. All wonderful stories which inspired me. 

Inspirational stories of folks ‘Makin’ it Green’…

Farewell my Subaru - a greener life in New Mexico, USA

Doug Fine is the   author of ‘Farewell my Subaru’ a book about  his life without oil. Doug moved to New Mexico, USA with his girl friend. They built a green sustainable home, are raising goats, chickens, ducks and growing much of their own food. You can read the continuing story of his new greener life at his blog. He is funny, charming and actually doing it… well. Amazing!!!

Path to Freedom - urban homesteaders in California, USA

An eco-pioneering lifestyle in Pasadena, CA. This is a story of a family who turned their lot into a 1/10th acre  farm which, produces 6,000 lbs. of organic food annually. On a path to self-sufficiency the Dervaes grow and preserve 99% of their own food, recycle, make bio-diesel, utilize solar power and more. You can read their blog or watch more videos at Dervaes’ channel on youtube.com. Awesome!!!

 Off Grid Living - with renewable resources in Canada

Bill and Lorraine Kemp live a normal middle class lifestyle in an average home with all the things you’d expect like a big screen TV, home office filled with computers and other equipment, washer / dryer, and even a cappuccino machine. But the thing that makes them unique is that they live completely off the grid. They have wood heat, solar/wind power for electricity, a well and waste water reclamation system. You can read their blog or watch more videos at aztextpress channel on youtube.com.

We can make it green living well and inexpensively. So exciting and inspirational!

Some wonderful sustainable resources…

Peak Moment TV - A network dedicated to sustainability and issues of our changing world. There are 23 interesting 28-minute episodes hosted by Janaia Donaldson (photo left) you can watch at Global Media. You can also read Janaia’s blog about the latest goings on at Peak Moment too.

Natural Life Magazine - A paper and online magazine that is about how to create a greener, healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.

Your Backyard Farmer Located in Portland, OR. A great concept people who love to farm, do it for you and it’s all organic.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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G'Day All --

Wow !!  Check out the *outstanding* collection of human rights mini video clips at "Youth for Human Rights."

>>>  Web site:  http://www.youthforhumanrights.org/index.htm

Click where it says,  "Watch the Ads."

As you will see, the content of these clips is consistent with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The United Nations web page that provides text of the Universal Declaration in nearly all of the world's languages has been a little difficult to access recently -- probably due to the high level of viewing in conjunction with the Declaration's 60th Anniversary.  But if you can get through to the site, its at:

http://www.unhchr.ch/udhr/navigate/alpha.htm

Visit and explore the growing International Civic Action, Community Service, and Development Film Clip Collection, at:

http://www.angelfire.com/ca4/yourturf/civactnet.htm#FilmClips

>>>  If you want to forward this material to others, the correct URL is:

http://civact6.tigblog.org/post/470083

Best wishes to all,

Dave Matthews,  Facilitator
The Civic Action Free University
http://www.tcafu.net
"Nation-Building:  Are You Serious ??"
E-Mail Address:  civact6@yahoo.com


***********************************************

Moon Walker is a Shamanic Heart Healer.

Spiritual, Esoteric. Opening, loving, allowing. He has so much compassion that hate dissolves into love. Singer, dancer, healer and spiritual facilitator. Original 9" x 12" pastel drawing was commissioned in 1997.

Giclee prints of my work are available at Spirit Art Gallery.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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Mister Glasses: Episode Two @ YouTube

Strong production values and loving attention to detail make Mister Glasses more fun than the rigors of Modern Architecture.

See also Philip Johnson @ Wikipedia.

~ Karl Jones

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Interested in talking shop about the wonders of classical music?  Check out this forum, then!

- Rudy Carrera.

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A well done documentary on the life of Buddha by BBC. Includes historical data, archeological discoveries blended with current practices. A wonderful journey into consciousness. Enjoy!

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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“May represent one of the earliest examples of the over-exploitation of marine organisms by humans.”

A new species of giant clam has been discovered in the Red Sea.

Fossils suggest that, about 125,000 years ago, the species Tridacna costata accounted for more than 80% of the area’s giant clams.

The species may now be critically endangered, researchers report in Current Biology journal.

The scientists believe their findings may represent one of the earliest examples of the over-exploitation of marine organisms by humans.

… The research team uncovered well-preserved fossil evidence that suggested stocks of these giant clams plummeted some 125,000 years ago — during an interval between Ice Ages.

They believe this period coincides with the appearance of modern humans in the Red Sea area.

Giant clams were abundant, large in size and easily accessible — making them an attractive food source for hunter-gatherers.

In “pre-human times”, T. costata may have been up to 60cm long. Since then, shell size has also decreased dramatically.

“The overall decline in giant clam stocks — with the striking loss of large specimens — is a smoking gun indicating over-harvesting,” said Dr Richter.

- Elizabeth Mitchell @ BBC News.

See also:

• “New Giant Clam Found; May Have Fed Early Humans” @ National Geographic.
• “Giant clam was first victim of mankind’s overfishing” @ Green Central.

~ Karl Jones

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~a poem by Bonnee Klein Gilligan

So much more then simple words

  deep hearted inner sorrow.

Say what you will, time will allow

  for life speaks not tomorrow.

Each breath, each move ignites our soul

  and fills our cups with wonder.

How we spend this mighty gift

  or choose which path to walk on.

Is only that and nothing more

  a choice, a simple choice.

Wrapped within experience

  set upon a golden plate.

With love and laugher, joy or sorrow

  in each and every moment.

Thus we write our book of life

  Oh Life… sweet wondrous life.

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“Archaeologists say the Maya believed the complex of water-filled caves leading into dry chambers was an underground road to a mythical underworld.”

Mexican archaeologists have discovered a maze of stone temples in underground caves, some submerged in water and containing human bones.

Clad in scuba gear and edging through narrow tunnels, researchers found the stone ruins of 11 sacred temples at the site on the Yucatan peninsula.

Archaeologists say the Maya believed the underground complex of water-filled caves leading into dry chambers, including an underground road stretching about 330 feet, was the path to a mythical underworld known as Xibalba.

- LA Times, via Reuters: Link.

Via Lisa Katayama @ Boing Boing: Link.

See also Xibalba @ Wikipedia.

~ Karl Jones

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