Forget New Year's...Resolutions for a New Era

From Azul Amaral on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151198191727266&set=a.10150200268607266.308941.583997265&type=1&theater

"I am not scared that the world is going to end in 2012, I am terrified that it will be the same."

In honor of yesterday's solstice, which marks the transition from longer nights to longer days, as well as the transition to a new (unwritten, as yet unknown) Mayan calendar, it strikes me that this is the time to resolve what kind of world we want to live in.

The course we're on is clearly unsustainable. What will you do to make sure the world doesn't stay the 
same?



12/23/12 Addendum: Bolivian President Evo Morales made a beautiful statement to this effect, saying in part that this moment marks "the end of an anthropocentric life and the beginning of a bio-centric life. It is the end of hatred and the beginning of love, the end of lies and beginning of truth. It is the end of sadness and the beginning of happiness, it is the end of division and the beginning of unity, and this is a theme to be developed." Read a longer piece about Morales' statement on Common Dreams.

Blog from the vault: Carmageddon: Better Than Battle LA

On the weekend of July 15-17, the 405 freeway was closed between the 10 and the 101. Locals dubbed it "Carmageddon." It made national news. It was awesome. People were forced to interrupt their routines, which in the Los Angeles sprawl means driving. A lot. But for one weekend, the streets were empty. People explored their own neighborhoods. Used alternate transportation. Were witty and creative.

Can't wait for the sequel!

This is Why I Love Eef Barzelay So Much

Check out these lyrics to "Apocalyptic Friend" from 2008 his solo album Lose Big:


My dear apocalyptic friend
Convinced the world will shortly end
I only want to hold you in my arms
And whisper softly that it's alright
If God decides to kill the lights
And back to stardust we return again
When rapture comes I understand your car will likely be unmanned
But what about those sitting in the back
Strapped into the baby's seat
Sweet milk sticking to their feet


You can listen to the song here (scroll down to find the song)


Incidentally, I had a dream once in which I was riding in the back seat of a car as the end of the world began (in the form of nuclear missile attacks), and I'm happy to report that my friend driving did not disappear but calmly executed a U-turn on a highway (!!) and got us out of immediate danger. I take great comfort in this dream. 

fuck yeah I'm making an emergency kit

I've become obsessed with making an emergency kit. Earthquakes. Financial disaster. If I was not an atheist, I'd totally believe these are The End Times. But Jesus isn't gonna take me up in the Rapture - I'm definintely gonna be left behind. Plus, living in LA, I know there's no way I'm getting myself out of here in an emergency situation. Best to hunker down with my collection of canned beans and Clif Bars.

Forget the governmental lists for building your emergency kit. Wired has the best one. I mean, they're the only ones who mention duct tape. Duh.