I'm sure you all are feeling the same sentiment, thank god the election is finally here.
In about half an hour I am going to walk to the bus station and hop the Amtrak to San Diego where I am meeting up with Michael O'Gorman who founded the Farmers Veteran Coalition to watch the election. I'm not exactly certain where we are going to watch the results, but where ever it is the entire day will be euphoric.
I never thought the day would come when the bush regime finally came to an end, and now hopefully on this historic day we will all chose to usher a new era of American history.
change, recovery and progress, are these such terrible things to ask for?
May god forgive you if didn't vote.
OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA!
Damn Good Biking
Mammath Mountain
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Its Halloween.....eeaooaaahhhhoo!!!!! Change is Scary!!!
Hello folks, slying to CA tomorrow wanted to say sai anjima before heading out and to part with these words.
Vote for Barack Obama.
It comes to no surprise I support him, I'm a liberal.
But it doesn't mean I would like the guy. Initially weary of him, Obama has proved to be a man of integrity, character, intellect, eloquence and curiosity. Until this very morning I remained skeptical if he can be the leader he is proclaimed to be.
On every front considering this election Barack has shown to be truly exceptional and has conducted himself as what I would consider to be presidential. On the other hand my once high opinion of John McCain has been irreparably damaged as every thing he once was respected for proved to be nothing more than a life built on fabrications and cover ups.
The only thing he can actually stand on with dignity is that he once was a POW, but that doesn't make him presidential.
Bush is a mediocre son of a American dynasty, McCain is sub-mediocre and from one of America's most revered military families. Bush has utterly corrupted our systems, trashed our global reputation, and only can only proclaim "mission accomplished" for destabilizing the world an ultimately bringing down the worlds last hegemonic super- power. Us.
What can McCain seriously do differently in the next four years that he hasn't already agreed to for 90% of the time over the last eight.
Eight years have been enough, I honestly can't take another four....or more, we see it everywhere, America seriously needs change.
If McCain wins, I'll support him objectively. But….but……but.
But if Palin becomes Peeps after the old oak falls before the first 100 days. Well then America you just voted in Karl Rove's second presidential candidate. (We can all at least agree he is a slimy fucker right?)
Do the right thing, vote for flipp'n obama.
Vote for Barack Obama.
It comes to no surprise I support him, I'm a liberal.
But it doesn't mean I would like the guy. Initially weary of him, Obama has proved to be a man of integrity, character, intellect, eloquence and curiosity. Until this very morning I remained skeptical if he can be the leader he is proclaimed to be.
On every front considering this election Barack has shown to be truly exceptional and has conducted himself as what I would consider to be presidential. On the other hand my once high opinion of John McCain has been irreparably damaged as every thing he once was respected for proved to be nothing more than a life built on fabrications and cover ups.
The only thing he can actually stand on with dignity is that he once was a POW, but that doesn't make him presidential.
Bush is a mediocre son of a American dynasty, McCain is sub-mediocre and from one of America's most revered military families. Bush has utterly corrupted our systems, trashed our global reputation, and only can only proclaim "mission accomplished" for destabilizing the world an ultimately bringing down the worlds last hegemonic super- power. Us.
What can McCain seriously do differently in the next four years that he hasn't already agreed to for 90% of the time over the last eight.
Eight years have been enough, I honestly can't take another four....or more, we see it everywhere, America seriously needs change.
If McCain wins, I'll support him objectively. But….but……but.
But if Palin becomes Peeps after the old oak falls before the first 100 days. Well then America you just voted in Karl Rove's second presidential candidate. (We can all at least agree he is a slimy fucker right?)
Do the right thing, vote for flipp'n obama.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Folks, more folks, and things folks know that other folks don't
I don't know of what it is worth mentioning but after spending ample time deep in Dixieland, and some more time "up thea!"in "yankee country" Vermont, both groups as different as they are left me with a sensation that both sides are perhaps privy to something I'm not quite aware of.
Now I'm not so certain all those yokel who wear the shirts notrodomously predicting the glorious south rising again are totally backwards or foolish!! Or that some of those run of the mill lumbarjackish armed to the teeth maple syrup tapper kind of guys, are for lack of a better word eccentric.
Both social groups from these despairingly polar opposites of America are true patriots. Both are proud to be from the farming grounds that produced so many brave soldiers for many a war dating back to the revolution.
One speaks liberty or die! The other yells, I don't know something about the glory…..
Gathering intel disguised as a neutral Swiss delegate on a fact finding mission 'touring Uh'merica prior to the election my role was to press the issues in both camps and catch a glimpse of both perspectives and to say the least, I was truly surprised with my findings.
Neither party agreed on a single thing. Except for two exceptions.
1. America will have its eventual downfall and the eventual civil decay will lead to a new bloody age of American civil war, or western style lawlessness. Hum-wa - wa-waaaahhha (Clint eastwood style)
2. Gun Control.
Both camps apparently agree it is fully appropriate and a natural right as citizens to protect you and yours whether it is from crazed gay friendly socialist trying to take away our rights, or from a fascists totalitarian state sponsored by the local mega church.
One calls to arms over a belief that "their candidates palls around with terrorist"
The other side says "We don't think the other side should have all the guns if the shit goes down"
The first says the degradation of "real American" core values has eroded.
The second says you are creating a fascist state totally eroding civil liberties protected by the constitution!
Really is this indicative of our political climate in America?
Is there more to it than some palin crazed frenzy yahoo screaming thoughtless banter at a McCain rally? "Kill him" Terrorist! "Traitor!" Yikes, I think its more politically polite to say how they really feel.
Have we gotten to the point in American history where we have lost so much faith and credibility in our financial, judicial systems, or government 27% Bush, less than that % for congress. That we might actually see these kinds of days if just the wrong kind of things happen?
Has the end game to all of this partisanship built up especially over these last eight years really leave deep seated hatred between belief systems, democrat or republican?
You notice these differences are not as geographic specific anymore.
I never though I'd ever get the feeling of guilt or unease being from a free state, but I certainly have, but only down in the deep pockets of Dixieland.
I'm sure many other people not from anglo-American origins get that feeling quite often.
Its an eerie feeling.
Such was the case when I went to a tractor pull and the traditional rally round the flag time actually flew the Dixie cross instead the old stars and bars we usual folk rally to.
I sat down and folded my hands in.
Eerie.
Later in Vermont after my disguise as the neutral Swiss delegate fact finding prior to the election cover was blown, and that I was actually a lost wayfaring poor ole missoura boy with a war chest of my own back home, it was even tricky to gain back their trust after one of them exposed my Midwestern heritage was indeed linked to a split state during the civil war.
Damn these well read'r northern'rs peoples, indeed Missouri was not 50/50 or demarcated by geographic lines during the civil war, this was tricky.
But through reasoning and dialogue what any friendly nothern'er will give you before they run you through, I explained that even we Missourians can be freedom loving folk. Take for instance Mark Twain, a personal hero, and a man who did more through his literature to expose the deep flaws in Jim Crow's America, he even served briefly in the confederate army, and look what he did in the long run.
They had to agree to that..wheww!
Even back in America travel can be slippery when wandering in places that demand different alliances, but generally if you stick to your guns and say what you mean honestly and back it up with good facts then you can't lose. Or you order the biggest, heaviest, coldest fresh beer for your opponent and then you crack him between the eyes with it and stand your ground or run from the mob.
As for me, I’m a little uncertain how I feel about America's future. So I have decided to disagree with each totally and then arm myself to the teeth and further fortify my current position held in Virginia to prepare for that eventual knock coming to the door this week.
Knock! Knock!
"Sir have you heard about McCain's foreign policy, and Obama's link to the domestic terrorist bill ayers"
Seven more days my friends.
Live free or die.
Now I'm not so certain all those yokel who wear the shirts notrodomously predicting the glorious south rising again are totally backwards or foolish!! Or that some of those run of the mill lumbarjackish armed to the teeth maple syrup tapper kind of guys, are for lack of a better word eccentric.
Both social groups from these despairingly polar opposites of America are true patriots. Both are proud to be from the farming grounds that produced so many brave soldiers for many a war dating back to the revolution.
One speaks liberty or die! The other yells, I don't know something about the glory…..
Gathering intel disguised as a neutral Swiss delegate on a fact finding mission 'touring Uh'merica prior to the election my role was to press the issues in both camps and catch a glimpse of both perspectives and to say the least, I was truly surprised with my findings.
Neither party agreed on a single thing. Except for two exceptions.
1. America will have its eventual downfall and the eventual civil decay will lead to a new bloody age of American civil war, or western style lawlessness. Hum-wa - wa-waaaahhha (Clint eastwood style)
2. Gun Control.
Both camps apparently agree it is fully appropriate and a natural right as citizens to protect you and yours whether it is from crazed gay friendly socialist trying to take away our rights, or from a fascists totalitarian state sponsored by the local mega church.
One calls to arms over a belief that "their candidates palls around with terrorist"
The other side says "We don't think the other side should have all the guns if the shit goes down"
The first says the degradation of "real American" core values has eroded.
The second says you are creating a fascist state totally eroding civil liberties protected by the constitution!
Really is this indicative of our political climate in America?
Is there more to it than some palin crazed frenzy yahoo screaming thoughtless banter at a McCain rally? "Kill him" Terrorist! "Traitor!" Yikes, I think its more politically polite to say how they really feel.
Have we gotten to the point in American history where we have lost so much faith and credibility in our financial, judicial systems, or government 27% Bush, less than that % for congress. That we might actually see these kinds of days if just the wrong kind of things happen?
Has the end game to all of this partisanship built up especially over these last eight years really leave deep seated hatred between belief systems, democrat or republican?
You notice these differences are not as geographic specific anymore.
I never though I'd ever get the feeling of guilt or unease being from a free state, but I certainly have, but only down in the deep pockets of Dixieland.
I'm sure many other people not from anglo-American origins get that feeling quite often.
Its an eerie feeling.
Such was the case when I went to a tractor pull and the traditional rally round the flag time actually flew the Dixie cross instead the old stars and bars we usual folk rally to.
I sat down and folded my hands in.
Eerie.
Later in Vermont after my disguise as the neutral Swiss delegate fact finding prior to the election cover was blown, and that I was actually a lost wayfaring poor ole missoura boy with a war chest of my own back home, it was even tricky to gain back their trust after one of them exposed my Midwestern heritage was indeed linked to a split state during the civil war.
Damn these well read'r northern'rs peoples, indeed Missouri was not 50/50 or demarcated by geographic lines during the civil war, this was tricky.
But through reasoning and dialogue what any friendly nothern'er will give you before they run you through, I explained that even we Missourians can be freedom loving folk. Take for instance Mark Twain, a personal hero, and a man who did more through his literature to expose the deep flaws in Jim Crow's America, he even served briefly in the confederate army, and look what he did in the long run.
They had to agree to that..wheww!
Even back in America travel can be slippery when wandering in places that demand different alliances, but generally if you stick to your guns and say what you mean honestly and back it up with good facts then you can't lose. Or you order the biggest, heaviest, coldest fresh beer for your opponent and then you crack him between the eyes with it and stand your ground or run from the mob.
As for me, I’m a little uncertain how I feel about America's future. So I have decided to disagree with each totally and then arm myself to the teeth and further fortify my current position held in Virginia to prepare for that eventual knock coming to the door this week.
Knock! Knock!
"Sir have you heard about McCain's foreign policy, and Obama's link to the domestic terrorist bill ayers"
Seven more days my friends.
Live free or die.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
once again.
Hi guys here I am. Charlottesville Virginia and all things are going well. Soon I am returning to CA, and going to work there for a few months, then east coast, and hopefully afterwards horticulture school in santa cruz. Which my travels indeed are pointing me in that direction.
I do have some things to write about from my trips so prepare for a few entries.
All right be well.
wayfaring.
I do have some things to write about from my trips so prepare for a few entries.
All right be well.
wayfaring.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
CA-DC-Boston-Vermont?
are you kidding me?
I was thinking last night while thouroughly enjoying the Neil Young set list at Farm Aid that though it seems my adventures in Niger are past, my new adventures are shaping up to be just as fulfilling.
Currently I am sitting on a little farm called Ceder Circle Farms located in North Thetford Vermont. My temporary residence is nestled up to the conneticut river in a little stowed away in the hills of northern vermont. They are a working farm complete with farm store, cafe, vegetable and orchards, as well as two magnificent Belgium draft horses named buddy and companion.
Two days ago I returned from CA, left the next afternoon for Boston, not knowing either where I would sleep, nor more importantly even where farm aid was, but no worries, that's all details that work themselves out as they go.
So I arrived in Mansfield Mass, about 2330 and did some reconnoitering around the festival grounds and chose a patch of soft grass to rest my bones, and then proceeded to sing myself to sleep while playing mandolin and keeping the morning dew off of my with a borrowed tarp i took off a polish sausage stand.
The next morning I awoke bright and early and met up with my current hosts, Will and Kate Allen. They put up a both to talk about the real costs of cheap food, and as an expert in the field, Will has recently released a fantastic book outlining the history and relationships related to the chemical warfare on our farmlands named "War on Bugs".
I was sent this way to learn from Will, and take away some ideas from them of how to proceed with the farmers veteran coaltion, and more importantly surf the wave of this agricultural movement I currently find myself a part of.
The lessons of food security and the importance of farming intelligently from Niger are returning to me through every conversation I have with interested listeners, and I find myself in a unique posisition having come from that experiance, yet conflicted because my heart pulls me back there, but my roots in America are spreading and it seems that for no America is going to be my home again.
If one was to ask two weeks ago where will I be for the next year, I would say with 75% certainty that I will return to Niger, but after my trip to CA, and having set some plans in motion, its now 85% certain I"m going to be living in Northern California before the year is out.
Here is the Plan.
Matt, Michael O'gorman and a couple others have decided that we are going to start a farm in Northern California, and devote our labors towards producing quality produce to feed into high value markets in the bay area as well as providing locally grown food to the communities we're established in. Through this venture we are also going to develop a veteran-farmer training program to move vets through our farms and our network of emerging partners established throughout America to give these guys some time to learn some skills, travel, heal, and move in new directions to put young able bodied folk on farms.
Alright, I have been living in the desert for a year and a half, not a hot day ellapsed without me daydreaming of kayaking or canoeing down a river, and since I hurt my back I was unable to, but now it seems all the stars have aligned and its time to jump in the river (bathe) and then observe the beautiful landscapes of northern vermont as the changing of the seasons develop.
I hope all is well in each corner of the world for whomever is reading this, on this end, things couldn't be better.
I was thinking last night while thouroughly enjoying the Neil Young set list at Farm Aid that though it seems my adventures in Niger are past, my new adventures are shaping up to be just as fulfilling.
Currently I am sitting on a little farm called Ceder Circle Farms located in North Thetford Vermont. My temporary residence is nestled up to the conneticut river in a little stowed away in the hills of northern vermont. They are a working farm complete with farm store, cafe, vegetable and orchards, as well as two magnificent Belgium draft horses named buddy and companion.
Two days ago I returned from CA, left the next afternoon for Boston, not knowing either where I would sleep, nor more importantly even where farm aid was, but no worries, that's all details that work themselves out as they go.
So I arrived in Mansfield Mass, about 2330 and did some reconnoitering around the festival grounds and chose a patch of soft grass to rest my bones, and then proceeded to sing myself to sleep while playing mandolin and keeping the morning dew off of my with a borrowed tarp i took off a polish sausage stand.
The next morning I awoke bright and early and met up with my current hosts, Will and Kate Allen. They put up a both to talk about the real costs of cheap food, and as an expert in the field, Will has recently released a fantastic book outlining the history and relationships related to the chemical warfare on our farmlands named "War on Bugs".
I was sent this way to learn from Will, and take away some ideas from them of how to proceed with the farmers veteran coaltion, and more importantly surf the wave of this agricultural movement I currently find myself a part of.
The lessons of food security and the importance of farming intelligently from Niger are returning to me through every conversation I have with interested listeners, and I find myself in a unique posisition having come from that experiance, yet conflicted because my heart pulls me back there, but my roots in America are spreading and it seems that for no America is going to be my home again.
If one was to ask two weeks ago where will I be for the next year, I would say with 75% certainty that I will return to Niger, but after my trip to CA, and having set some plans in motion, its now 85% certain I"m going to be living in Northern California before the year is out.
Here is the Plan.
Matt, Michael O'gorman and a couple others have decided that we are going to start a farm in Northern California, and devote our labors towards producing quality produce to feed into high value markets in the bay area as well as providing locally grown food to the communities we're established in. Through this venture we are also going to develop a veteran-farmer training program to move vets through our farms and our network of emerging partners established throughout America to give these guys some time to learn some skills, travel, heal, and move in new directions to put young able bodied folk on farms.
Alright, I have been living in the desert for a year and a half, not a hot day ellapsed without me daydreaming of kayaking or canoeing down a river, and since I hurt my back I was unable to, but now it seems all the stars have aligned and its time to jump in the river (bathe) and then observe the beautiful landscapes of northern vermont as the changing of the seasons develop.
I hope all is well in each corner of the world for whomever is reading this, on this end, things couldn't be better.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
CALIFORNIA
Hi gang,
you guys wouldn't believe all the crazyness going on out here. I was super busy working on the french garden farm in sebastopol with my friend matt, and together we were guest of the kick off dinner of the veterans farmers coalition. I was with incredible honorary guest such as pat tillmans mother and daniel ellsberg *leaked pentagon papers*
It looks like in this trip has secured a definate future in agriculture for myself, and who knows how far down this rabbit hole its going to get.
Leaving for berkely tonight, flying to DC tomorrow and will be in Boston the day after that, then Farm Aid. then i'll probabaly stay on the east coast for a week or so and work some farms.
alright guys take care.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Hurricanes and Speaking engagements.
Holy Cow!
I survived the weakest hurricane of all time! (hannah)
Cat and I traveled to North Carolina this weekend to give some presentations to 2nd & 3rd graders about our experiences in Niger, but the trip was mainly for meeting up with some of Cathys friends somewhere in Northern NC for two days then off to Raleigh for a night.
Northern NC was quite beautiful, the place we stayed was nestled in some dense forest and we went hiking there during the hurricane, it was awesome, but I must add it was no stronger than a Nigerien sprinkle for what we expected. Our presentations went overwhelmingly well, we gave two different presentations to about 100 elementary age students. With the backdrop of a photo presentation we talked of our experiences and what life is like in NIger.
We highlighted life for children in Niger and drove home the importance of education and striving to understand different cultures. We talked about our work, and summed up typical life for Nigeriens. The kids were totally captivated, and asked endless questions after and during our 1 hour and 15 minute presentation. Then we finished up with pizza and ice cream with a class then worked off the food afterwards with some very intense games of tag.
I was reminded that though my body is 30, my spirit is about 8, it was so refreshing to be mixing it up and attempting to make a positive impact on students and hopefully plant the seed to think independently and if you have a dream to catch, run after it and never allow limitations to slow you down.
Life to this point is proving that the only thing that can limit us is a lack of imagination and years to pursue our dreams.
take care, Nazifi
p.s. there are winds blowing about possible work, I'm heading out to California Thursday to partake in the farmer veteran coalition fundraiser and then heading out to boston to represent the organization at this years Farm Aid.
Some crazy things are going to be blowing in over the next two weeks so keep checking in.
I survived the weakest hurricane of all time! (hannah)
Cat and I traveled to North Carolina this weekend to give some presentations to 2nd & 3rd graders about our experiences in Niger, but the trip was mainly for meeting up with some of Cathys friends somewhere in Northern NC for two days then off to Raleigh for a night.
Northern NC was quite beautiful, the place we stayed was nestled in some dense forest and we went hiking there during the hurricane, it was awesome, but I must add it was no stronger than a Nigerien sprinkle for what we expected. Our presentations went overwhelmingly well, we gave two different presentations to about 100 elementary age students. With the backdrop of a photo presentation we talked of our experiences and what life is like in NIger.
We highlighted life for children in Niger and drove home the importance of education and striving to understand different cultures. We talked about our work, and summed up typical life for Nigeriens. The kids were totally captivated, and asked endless questions after and during our 1 hour and 15 minute presentation. Then we finished up with pizza and ice cream with a class then worked off the food afterwards with some very intense games of tag.
I was reminded that though my body is 30, my spirit is about 8, it was so refreshing to be mixing it up and attempting to make a positive impact on students and hopefully plant the seed to think independently and if you have a dream to catch, run after it and never allow limitations to slow you down.
Life to this point is proving that the only thing that can limit us is a lack of imagination and years to pursue our dreams.
take care, Nazifi
p.s. there are winds blowing about possible work, I'm heading out to California Thursday to partake in the farmer veteran coalition fundraiser and then heading out to boston to represent the organization at this years Farm Aid.
Some crazy things are going to be blowing in over the next two weeks so keep checking in.
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