Sunday, June 29, 2008

SLOOP JOHN B

Summer is hitting Seattle with a vengeance. Alki and Green lake is filled with people starving for some vitamin D. Just got back from the Upward Bound Camp, three days of skits, games, talent shows, bunkers & bonfires -the works. Enjoyed every minute of it. Practiced my basketball skills, and learned how to throw the grand old American football. Taught this kid how to play the guitar and performed with him on the talent show, he played my name is Jonas by Weezer and I sang. I also performed a song by Bright Eyes which were a great success.
Yesterday I was at a party at some friends of Kevin, met a lot of cool people and made some film-contacts. Now I'm getting ready for the beach, there is no cloud in sight.

Monday, June 23, 2008

AMBITION

First day as an assistant teacher at South. Got to know a bunch of great kids with more ambition and clear goals than I've seen in a long time. Lawyers, architectures, & pediatricians. I am so glad I got the possibility to teach these kids, and prep them for college life.
Wednesday we go camping for three days. I've already packed my Frisbee.

JUMP

Finally my application for school in England next semester is turned in. My application for Deakin Melbourne, University of western Sydney, Devry and Argosy in Seattle are also done. I've recieved my grades and I've gotten a 3,5 GPA Which I've heard is the same as B+ so I'm happy. I also got an A on my thesis on the American recession. So I guess school's going pretty good.

Tomorrow I start my new job as an assistant teacher. I'll have responsibility for a science class and a film production class. Decent pay. Early hours. Looking forward to the field trip this week.

Was at a Trepan gig last Thursday. Dress rehearsal for their main gig at the heavens nightclub next Thursday. Kevin Kicked ass on vocals and the crew followed up nicely. Tight and tilting.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

OFFSHORE DRILLING

With oil prices at a crippling 139$ a barrel and gas prices reaching 4$ a gallon, the nations energy policy's are destined to be one of the major issues during the 2008 presidential election. Today George Bush urged the congress to end the federal ban on offshore drilling, stating that it would "lower gas prices" and "stringent our national security". What is Georgie talking about?

First of all, one of the reasons we see these record oil prices is the weak dollar. Oil is bought and sold in dollars, so a devalued dollar gives you cheaper oil, which then again increases demand, and leads to higher oil prices. Considering that China is pumping out an annual 10% growth in GDP, the most popular girl in class just got elected prom queen. Everybody wants to get their piece of the action. So who ripped the dollar in half? You George :) You and your war buddies.

If it wasn't for your naive belief in the free markets leading to the credit crunch we see today, and your war in Iraq tagged at a daily $341 million, the dollar wouldn't be so wimpy and the demand for oil wouldn't be so off pist.

George Bush wants to lower gas prices by drilling for more oil. But how does it involve national security? Is it because the war in Iraq needs more lubricant? And without the war, America would be in great danger?

Why can't you just adapt like the rest of the western world and explore alternative energy sources? Why don't you give benefits to owners of hybrid/electrical cars?

Georges attempt to get rid of the ban was quickly supported by the republican presidential candidate with Obama opposing the proposition. Let's just hope John and Jane Doe can see the real reason behind the staggering gasoline prices. Let's hope this isn't going to give the republicans an upper hand in the November election.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

CAPITALISTIC UPGRADE

The environment is suffering the consequences of a capitalistic system out of control. Mother nature, like a bedazzled naive prostitute, is giving her resources to the corporation pimp for free. Why is it that the cost of polluting the world is almost invisible on the corporate balance sheet? Why can't we set a higher price on what's every one's property; the air, the woods and the ocean?
Capitalism is built on the pillars of efficiency and free markets, to give the consumers the best possible price, and the shareholders the best bang for their buck. It's a system that works, but at what cost? When there is no limit to what amount of resources that can be ripped out of our ecosystem, it's inevitable that we someday will suck the planet dry.

I don't suggest we start dismantling the machine, but how about a tune up? To create a balance between money and nature, we need to set a price on polluting, and make the corporations pay for devaluing our property; the air we breath and the water we drink. Just like a landowner would be compensated when the government cuts his land in half with a new railroad, the corporation should pay us for railroading our birthright.

Let's say we give all the right to pollute to a trust fond, and the trustees sell rights to pollute to the corporations. The revenue from this trust fond will be given 50/50 to the citizens, by a yearly dividend, and to a fond which main task is promoting a better environment. With this comes the possibility to control pollution, and the ability to redistribute the wealth; striking down on inequality.

If you use a simple demand & supply chart, you see that if we lower the amount of rights sold, the supply goes down and the price goes up. The greener we are, the higher the revenue. Corporations are forced to pursue alternative energy sources and a more greener way to conduct business and produce goods.

Doesn't it piss you of that 1 % owns over 50% of the assets, that 5% owns more than 95% of us? Isn't it time we woke up and upgraded the system so we can get rid off the "stupid poor" and the "stupid rich"? Isn't it time we stop melting icecaps? It is time, and it is possible. Making the corporates pay for their exploitation of the commons is the first step. Don't let them walk all over your birth right.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

TREPAN

"Trepan is a four piece band with male vocals, drawing comparisons to Queens of the Stoneage and the Rye Coalition. Laid down on top of music that makes drivers go faster, Kevin's vocals conjure up images of expensive things being pulverized - not skinny boys whining" [Listen to their music]
I've known Kevin for little over two months now, and he keeps impressing me with his music and recordings. This is an awesome band who deserves more attention. Trepan will play a beneficiary concert in Seattle the 26th of June supporting breast cancer victims. (5$) Check it.

Monday, June 9, 2008

THE WHIGS

Stumbled over my radio again this morning. It automatically turned on with the flick of my right hand. The waves picked up the new song "Right hand on my heart" by the Whigs, and an axe hit my right shoulder. This band is great. I saw them on MTV2 last night, not only is their song a perfect summertrashtrack that makes it all feel a bit better than it should, their video is awesome. Be sure to check out their myspace, they have a lot of great tracks out there, and if you see their video, just sit down and shut up, they might be giants!

THE CREDIT


I've just finished writing over fifty pages of numbing economical analysis of the American recession. The GDP growth in 1st quarter of 2008 is 0,9% compared to 2,2% 1st quarter of 2007, Inflation rate is at 3,9 %. The national debt is at 9,407 trillion! Congratulation: We are entering a world of pain. Or shall I say: You are entering a world of pain. I am a student with no investments, no steady income, no credit, no car, no fancy clothes, no fancy girlfriend, no belongings, no value what so ever. I am broke either way.
"The first ones now will later be last, cause the times are a'changing." (Bob Dylan)

Friday, June 6, 2008

STAGE LIGHT

The democratic relief is finally arrived. Hillary has decided that she didn't want to be president after all and Barrack Obama is writing history as the first black man running for president. Exciting times. It feels like America is getting back on track, and the people around me are filling up with hope. Change is immenent. But what is the damagereport after eight years of pissing the world off?
May 31st, El Corazon, Seattle. The stage was set for TEITUR. I am all alone, abandoned by my friends, who chose to see the premiere of "sex and the city" in stead of this fragile but genius Feroyeisk "an island in the northsea" band. As I'm sitting in the bar, getting drunk as fast as I can to numb the sting of loneliness, I run into the drummer of "Kings of Leon". We have an interesting talk about Scandinavian girls, the backstage drug hounds at international festivals and the fact that when he travel he poses as a Canadian.

So how bad of a rep can America have abroad when it forces one of their rock stars to pretend that he's from Canada? I mean, he's a rockstar. He has a tourbus for God's sake.

He said he was ashamed of his government, and of how their policies has made the world a more dangerous place. He added that he wouldnt risk turning off some hot blond chick with an political interesst. Fair enough I thought. We both agreed that come November things were going to change. Hopefully for the better.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Teitur

Seattle pavement stuck under worn out converse. I've been here for almost three months and loving every second of it. A town with a great film & music scene. But how is it that the only concerts I check out are from Europe? Is it because the average american aren't aware of the potential some of these bands have, and therefor I get tickets as cheap as ten bucks. Back home in Europe they would cost up to 70$.

Tonight I'm going down to El Corazon, a little stage downtown seattle, to listen to one of Islands greatest up and coming sing and songwriters. A smooth vagabond that goes under the name TEITUR. Looking forward to it.