Waterfalls

Fall is starting here in Toronto, but there's still plenty of time to get out before it gets cold! Above, Amado enjoys the waterfalls at High Park (and a strawberry). It was raining, but that didn't make a difference.

Santana - Soul Sacrifice - Woodstock 1969

The older I get the more I love this clip. Carlos and the band are on mescaline. The audience is skinny dipping. A hippie is reenacting the crucifixion. And at 7:45 a naked man is carrying a sheep.

Man, they don't do shows like this anymore.

El Mirage

View Larger Map

Google maps is so cool. Here is a 360 degree street-level view of El Mirage, California. Out in the desert where I grew up. You can also drag the street view icon along any blue-outlined road to see what you can see. Rad.

Trane's Birthday

The more I listen to John Coltrane, the more amazed I am. This man was certainly in touch with something that most humans only rarely grasp--and whatever it was, it remains essential for our survival.

More honest than any political correspondent.

Andrew Sullivan blogged on this interview with hip-hop artist DMX and I found it amazing --- he must be kidding, right? Here you go....

Interviewer: Are you following the presidential race?

DMX: Not at all.

You’re not? You know there’s a Black guy running, Barack Obama and then there’s Hillary Clinton.

His name is Barack?!

Barack Obama, yeah.

Barack?! Barack. What the f**k is a Barack?! Barack Obama. Where he from, Africa?

Yeah, his dad is from Kenya.

Barack Obama?

Yeah.

What the f**k?! That ain’t no f**kin’ name, yo. That ain’t that ni**a’s name. You can’t be serious. Barack Obama. Get the f**k outta here.

You’re telling me you haven’t heard about him before.

I ain’t really paying much attention.

I mean, it’s pretty big if a Black…

Wow, Barack! The ni**a’s name is Barack. Barack? Ni**a named Barack Obama. What the f**k, man?! Is he serious? That ain’t his f**kin’ name. Ima tell this ni**a when I see him, “Stop that bullshit. Stop that bullshit” [laughs] “That ain’t your f**kin’ name.” Your momma ain’t name you no damn Barack.

Farm Boy

Yesterday we took a trip out to Everdale Organic Farm for their annual Carrot Festival. I actually didn't see many carrots, but we all had a great time roaming the open spaces. Amadisto most of all.

More farm pictures here.

Road To Ingwavuma Trailer

Maybe it's because I just had to cancel a 10-day trip to South Africa (I was to leave Oct. 1), or because this film features my favourite musician Carlos Santana...or because it also features one of my favourite leaders, Nelson Mandela, but for whatever reason I found this trailer very moving...

Twisted

I think I may have a crush on Tina Fey as Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live. Is that wrong?

Who Said I Didn't Like High School Football?

Thanks Sharon for sending me this brilliant clip. (I hope it's ok to post it!) Sharon's son Dylan (#81) and my nephew Ty (#80) both play for the Serrano Diamondbacks freshmen team. This clip is from the Diamondbacks victory over Paraclete last week. I would LOVE to see one of their games! (It's especially heartening to note that they must have retired my number 61 from the '78-'79 season, because I don't see it anywhere!) Go Diamondbacks!!!

Cleveland Browns

I think this year I'll be a Cleveland Browns fan. Not that they are likely to be winners, but Cleveland's a Great Lake town, like Toronto. They're one of the old-time NFL teams, which I like. And their uniform fashion is minimalist, and uniform fashion is high among the reasons I like a football team. Plus, I like brown. Orange ain't bad either. And, my Mom's parents are from Cleveland too.

I also like the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

I know, a lot of losers in this bunch. So?

New Favourite Food

Pizza! But it's not like he's going to get it that often.

L.A. River

This picture of the L.A. River from The Jimson Weed Gazette brings back many memories of my childhood. I love it and I'm adding it to my Christmas list. You can buy it at East of West LA.

Lazytown en espanol

Amado loves to dance to this one!

Before the World Trade Center

New York from the Staten Island Ferry, 1961. By Edward Ruscha.

Here's the story behind the photo.

Post MelonHeads

Amado was great today during his 2nd professional haircut.

15 Years Ago

Yes, that's me on the right, with my boss Karen on the left. And, oh yeah, there's Carlos Santana in the middle, sitting down for our interview in Washington, D.C.

In the World But Not Of It

I've reviewed Brett Grainger's book on his experience growing up as a fundamentalist for The United Church Observer. You can read my review here.

Brett doesn't quite put the "fun" back into "fundamentalism" as I like to quip, but he does offer a more nuanced, understanding view of those with fundamentalist beliefs than you're likely to see elsewhere -- even while moving beyond these beliefs himself.

From my review:

The lesson of this book is that Christians can become so consumed by their own vision of faith that they become blind to the movement of the Spirit in the world around them. This selective blindness afflicts not only the theologically conservative, but liberal Christians as well. Grainger shows us the value of keeping our eyes and hearts open to the surprising work of God in these times of change.

Happy Birthday Mom!

We never cease to be amazed by you! I will always consider myself really lucky to have you as my mother. Much love, A+W+A

p.s. I stole another one of your photos too!