Environ Mental #8

The Election Issue

...but first the good news!

 We were interviewed by Rogers TV for an October episode of A Greener Toronto! It was totally awesome to be able to show the work that Alter Eco has been doing and to have the message, hopefully, go viral! When I have a date from them you can be sure that I'll pass it on to you. My secrets will be revealed!

 Coming up on the show agenda, we will be once again doing the Planet in Focus Eco Exchange on Oct. 25 & 26^th from 10 am – 5pm at Innis College, U of T, 2 Sussex Avenue, Toronto, one block south of St. George Street and Bloor Street West.

 Planet in Focus: International Environmental Film & Video Festival will be held October 22 – 26, 2008.  More then 70 films will be screened, and more then 8,000 people will attend the five-day event.

  CBC Employees Charity Christmas Show The date for this year's sale is Wed Dec 3rd, 2008 – more info later

 And now the part that you wish you could forget but can't... The Election

 I was going to save this type of message for the 1^st Mental Environment Newsletter but as Harper has belittled Canada's cultural community, not just financially but now verbally, and his mastery of “Chopsticks” notwithstanding, he better start playing The Beatles, “With a Little Help from my Friends”. I have expressed my views best on my Blog, “Worth Fighting For” (http://worthfighting4.blogspot.com/).

For all the people on this newsletter who are committed Non-Harpers or who are as yet are undecided who to vote for or whether to vote at all (see Michael Moore's FREE Movie – Slacker Uprising http://slackeruprising.com/), or for those who might change their minds, check out these following links:

 The Environment needs some strategic support in the Oct. 14th Election.

Vote for the Environment has an interesting website that can help you decide where your VOTE MATTERS.

A renewed Harper government for 4 years will be a major setback for several major global issues. The Environment is one that is here to stay whether Harper likes it or not. Economics come and go, they work in short-term cycles but NOT Environmental issues.

An even better process to vote your conscience is to "Vote Pair". If you are in a solid non-Harper riding sign up to pair your vote with a riding that can defeat the Harper candidate.

A vote for the future is NOT A VOTE for Harper.

Vote Strategic! Vote for the Future!

 If you have passion for the future 4 years please forward this newsletter!

Environ Mental #7

For the past 7 weeks I have been taking a business course to develop a new business plan and I am putting on the finishing touches which requires lots of brain sweat. We are in the process of expanding our focus to business, government and other organizations. We have  a new Corporate section ( http://alter-eco.net/Gallery/Corporate/Corporate.html ) on the Website that is still under some construction but is well underway. We will be continuing to develop it over the next few weeks.

Also, Father's Day is coming soon and I would like to put in a plug for my partner's new online shop, Fit2BeTied ( http://www.zazzle.com/fit2betied/ ), that has an amazing selection of over 420 tie designs! Awesome!!

All for now but stay tuned for further adventures.

Environ Mental – Special Short Issue
Alter Eco Newsletter #6 dot 1
Nov. 2/07

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Environ Mental
Alter Eco Newsletter #6
October 17th, 2007

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Environ Mental  – Special Issue
Alter Eco Newsletter #5
Jan 17/07

 Are you racing while others are lacing? Or was it the other way around? Hey! It’s snowing!!

You know that CD I have been on about, “Trying to Keep an Open Mind”? Well it’s done…What’s the connection between the CD and the weather? I was hoping to get it done for the Winter Solstice and celebrate it with the track “Standing Still Sun” but unplanned things happened. So, appropriately as I watch the snow falling and the temperature plunging for the second time this winter (sic) here in Toronto, it will be welcomed with the track “Wintertime” not to mention the rapidly approaching Groundhog Day. This Groundhog Day is particularly auspicious as it coincides with a full moon and you must hear “The Groundhog Day Slaughter”. A damning indictment of NAFTA, Global Warming, conspicuous greed, revenge, sex, conspiracy…sex? Have I got your attention?

I would also like to take this opportunity to invite you all to an official CD release party! You are welcome to join Marie and I at Fionn MacCools Pub at 21 St. Clair W. on Saturday, Jan. 27/07 after 1:30 PM. When this CD goes 'gold' then you will be invited to a party where everything is on the house, but this time bring your wallets. :-)

If you can't make it to the party, let me know if you would like to buy a copy and I'll send it to you. It costs $15.00.

RSVP

This is what I’ve been doing during my 18 month sabbatical but did manage to do a wonderful commission for the Recycling Council of Ontario  supplying copper frames for their awards. See one for the Royal York Hotel. Many thanks to Rhonda Nolan for the recommendation.

As some of you know, I have been writing songs and poems on and off since puberty but was sparked by a comment from an old friend I hadn’t seen for decades who melted my heart when she told me that “Night Trains” was a favourite of her daughter’s. Soon after I heard that TVO (TV Ontario) was having a songwriting competition and decided to enter it. It was a ‘winner’ in the sense that I committed myself to putting together all my songs & poems and recording them with a cool, open source, recording software, Kristal Audio Engine , my trusty computer, Darthcricket productions (me - my alter ego), Marie’s patience and all the Angels that reside in “This Old Guitar”.

In the next few months I will be developing a website for the music but in the meantime I have an online publisher, Lulu.com - Self Publisher, , where you can hear all the samples and enjoy them - hopefully enough to buy individual tracks or the whole album, 13 tracks (37 mins) as mp3’s. You can purchase it directly from me a personal copy for $15.00 playable in any CD player. If you think that you know someone who is interested, passing it on to them is very appreciated.

So I hope you are all waxing your skiis and sharpening your edges because it will go a long way to reducing the damage to the ozone and turn commuting into a healthy pursuit.

Cheers and all the best to you in 2007,

John aka Darthcricket

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Environ Mental
Alter Eco Newsletter #4
July 28/06

 In this sweltering July weather the beginning of Feb, so long past, seems like an eternity. 

As you know I have been focusing more on doing a music CD over the past year and probably have about 6 songs in the fall. Wow! First CD called “Night Trains”! It will be a 100% homemade job, like just about everything else, and armed with guitar, computer and 16 track software these will be the titles: 

Night Trains
Red Rocket Roll – about the benefits of subways, buses & streetcars to meet girls environmentally
Talking Nakina Blues – I was shipped off to the north country in my 17^th summer
Undercover Man – I can find love anywhere
I’ve Got the 8 Bar Blues – how many bars does it take to find bliss?
Scottish Queen – a few minutes of a Celtic vision
Amazing Boy – instrumental fusion of Amazing Grace and Danny Boy 

That makes 7…hmmmmm 

The other thing is, being an environmental artist, I find the need to express my thoughts in a less that abstract way at times and I have kept a blog, “Worth Fighting For” for some time but haven’t promoted it to any degree but some of you might have read it. 

I have just finished reading a book by David Orchard, “The Fight for Canada” and I was fired to add to the blog with “Harper and the American Manifest Destiny”. I am only bringing this to your attention because we are at another major, critical point and, agree or disagree, this is one of the final opportunities to decide the direction that Canada will take, assuming that Harper calls an election where he think he can get a majority. 

I don’t plan to make a habit of politicizing my newsletter but on occasions of critical importance I’ll note blog updates with the usual relevant arts content. 

So if you really love me, for richer and for poorer, tell me that you will put up with me. But if you want to break my heart you will be forgiven.

The very best to you all and think cool,

John 

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Environ Mental 
Alter Eco Newsletter #3
Feb 01/06

 

Its Groundhog Day tomorrow, or if you're reading this on Thursday, Happy Groundhog Day! This means that January is officially over. Imagine that. 

Briefly: 

1. It's Groundhog Day!  We've just covered that one
2. Two Show dates
3. 49th Degree North Attitude; new shop, great T's, sweats and other colourful apparel
4. Quiz now ongoing 

- On Thurs. Feb 9th and Wed. Feb 22/06, the Ontario Government CSS Show will be held in the St. Lawrence Lounge, 900 Bay St., Toronto sponsored by the Ministry of Community & Social Services from 9am - 5pm. There is a link to a map on the Schedule http://alter-eco.net/Schedule.html. Even though these are paydays for the gov't folk, that is no excuse not to come down. Just kidding. See you if you're nearby and bring your answers to the Quiz. 

- We have opened up a new T-shirt, etc, shop called, "49th Degree North Attitude". It is a humorous, (so far) all Canadian store and was inspired by the Jan. 2006 Election. It is the same concept as Cafepress, which we will be gradually winding down, but it was conceived by a German company called Spreadshirt and are developing markets in Canada, UK, US and Japan. Far, far better quality, styles, range, colours and prices are pretty much the same. They have an office in Montreal but their production is out of Pennsylvania so shipping times and rates are better than Cafepress. Check it out. Click the link on the right side navigation, http://alter-eco.net/Home.html

- And finally! The quiz, http://alter-eco.net/Home.html, is too much fun to stale-date so occasionally we'll post new riddles. So Wiki for savings and Google for discounts! 

Let's hope Willie doesn't see his shadow! 

Cheers...John 

If you wish to be removed from this mail-list, just click Reply and type "Please remove" in the Subject bar.

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Environ Mental
Alter Eco Newsletter #2
Nov 7/05

Just a short one this time – hooray!
 

1. 2005 CBC Annual Christmas Charity Craft Show
2. Quiz – Search for Savings 

Announcing the 2005 CBC Annual Christmas Charity Craft Show. Go to Schedule (http://alter-eco.net/Schedule.html): It is open to the public and you just might rub elbows with a TV celeb! It's on a Thurs because that's when the CBC staff get paid and we're all hoping that they have some extra money what with having been locked out and all. Help us support the CBC to support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. 

Quiz:

Searching for Savings

Wiki it, Google it, Pico it (Alter Eco search) 

5% off Gifts, Home Accessories and Jewellery for each of the correct answers to the following questions:
(Does not apply to Art, Books or Gear. Expires Dec 31/05) 

1. What is Bush’s Middle name? (hint - trick question. Already?)
2. What is the title of our sculpture that is an dysphemism (wiki that one) for impeaching Bush?
3. Of the hundreds of wonderful books on the site, one of them is free - which one?
4. Which Canadian Prime Minister sails with Jolly Roger's Scurvy Crew?
5. What cool Christmas show are we doing? (not a trick) 

Email your answers to:  info#alter-eco.net (subst. @ for #) and I will send you a coupon. Coupon is valid for one answer per person for the duration of the quiz and while quantities last or can be made up. 

Have fun!
 John

 

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Environ Mental
Alter Eco Newsletter
Sept. 23/05

 

“Environ Mental” -  Definition:
1. A condition of various degrees of hysteria in response to environmental forces. E.g. Giddiness from deep breaths in morning woodlands; hilarity of sharing a boss joke around the office cooler; voluntary temporary suspension of sanity (front row rock concert seats or full volume stereos); insanity of fuel prices and driving downtown, etc.

2. Obsessed with the Environment and all things related! 

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Hi! Welcome to my long overdue newsletter. Here is how I have been ‘environmentally coping’ since Groundhog Day this year. 

Summary:
1.       Blog: “Worth Fighting For”
2.       Bookstore with search
3.       Café Press merchandise
4.       Singer/Songwriting – “Red Rocket Roll” sound file
5.       “Hanging Bush” sculpture
6.       Planet in Focus International Film and Video Festival Eco Fair – Saturday, Oct 1st 

1. In Feb I was inspired to start a blog, "Worth Fighting For" (http://worthfighting4.blogspot.com/).  I decided it was healthier than talking to myself. 

2. In Mar I decided that I needed extra avenues of revenues to support my computer habits and called upon some old habits to make themselves useful. One is my old compulsion to collect books. Having noticed that my living accommodation would soon suffer, not to mention Marie’s observation that there will soon be no room for me and the books, we have the Bookstore (http://alter-eco.net/Gallery/Bookstore.html) of good used, out-of-print and antiquarian books at irresistible prices. Predominantly Arts, Humanities & Politics

Not to mention 40% of the sales of our good used books will be donated to:
20% - Oxfam Canada for its humanitarian work
20% - Toronto Environmental Alliance for its environmental work 

For your convenience I added a site search engine that will take you where you want to go 'faster than a speeding bullet'.

3. Another compulsion of mine is to indulge in a bit of satire. This too is a compensation for a persecution complex at the hands of corporate and government so-and-so’s, such as my ISP’s monthly money grab for a less than stellar performance. So I fight, compensation with compensation (like fire with fire) and I have been sublimating my fruitless desires to trip them on a staircase into exacting vengeance upon them with digital graphics on t-shirts, hoodies, coffee/beer mugs (Canada’s beverage of choice), thongs and other intimate apparel, mousepads, calendars, cards, prints, etc. I have set up a number of shops at Café Press as follows: 

Alter Eco – Environmental Art – http://www.cafepress.com/altereco/ (no thongs here)
It’s in the News – http://www.cafepress.com/its_in_the_news/ (current events & Bush)
No Sex Please…  - http://www.cafepress.com/nosexplease/ (general humour & Bush)
Jolly Roger’s Scurvy Crew – http://www.cafepress.com/jollyrogercrew/ (Political Humour)
Jolly George – http://www.cafepress.com/jollygeorge/ (100% Bush)
Jolly Tony - http://www.cafepress.com/jollytony/ (100% Tony Blair)
Jolly Dick - http://www.cafepress.com/jollydick/ (100% Dick Cheney)
Jolly Condi – http://www.cafepress.com/jollycondi/ (100% Condi Rice)
Jolly Karl – http://www.cafepress.com/jollykarl/ (100% Karl Rove)
Jolly Rummy – http://www.cafepress.com/jollyrummy/ (100% Don Rumsfeld)
God Created… - http://www.cafepress.com/godcreated/ (Creationism/Darwinism)
Delta Blues - http://www.cafepress.com/deltablues/ (New Orleans Catastrophe) 

4.  Playing guitar. I have been taking a little time from metal art and have been spending time on an old 'art' of mine - singer/songwriting. I used to do this sometimes, off and on, over the most part of my life and was recently sparked to taking it half seriously when there was a TVO (TV Ontario, our PBS sort of thing) to submit a song. I was encouraged by friends to enter a song I wrote when I was travelling in Europe. It is called "Night Trains". I'll upload it soon to the site soon but in the meantime I have just finished my first self produced and room to be improved (but I’m still pickled tink about it), "Red Rocket Roll". (http://alter-eco.net/RedRocketRoll22mono.wav). This version is the first take and is a 9.6mb download. I'm about to do the 'streaming audio' learning curve which will result in a normal download and a better sound. All comments welcomed and maybe even appreciated.

 (Note: Different sounds come out of different machines - speakers, cards, stereos, etc. What I hear ain't what others hear so it's good to get feedback.)

I am in the process of recording 7 or 8 other songs for a cd. And for the record (no pun intended) I claim title to "Toccata and Blues in E Minor", a work in progress, as the composition is anyone’s guess at this point but sounds too cool not to. 

5.  I haven’t totally abdicated my passion for metal as I have completed a sculpture titled, "Hanging Bush" (http://alter-eco.net/Gallery/Sculpture/Dec/Decorative.html) which can be found here in the Decorative Sculpture page, and at the Eco Fair in a week. Who in their right and just mind can keep quiet? Not me. 

6. And last but not least and probably should be first, We are doing the Planet in Focus International Film and Video Festival next Saturday, Oct 1st from 10am to 4pm at the University of Toronto, Courtyard @ Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue. (1 block south of Bloor W. on St. George) 

Well? If you made it reading this far then you are environmental as well and good on you. 

But if you skipped all the in between parts you have the option of opting out of the newsletters upon request – you will be missed.

All the best for now… John
 

 

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