Ring of Fire Voodoo Style

One day before I die I must sing this song in front of a lot of people. If I did it would probably come out like the Wall of Voodoo version. (You know them. They did that song Mexican Radio.)

Believe it or not I’m kinda a purist about this song. I’d try to make it sound a bit more like the original. Horns and all. Here’s the real deal to clean your pallet.

This man is my Appalachian rock-a-billy super hero.

Experimental Architecture to Save the Planet

Another informative blog post from Tree Hugger. This one about the movie Garbage Warrior. WATCH this trailer.

What do beer cans, car tires and water bottles have in common? Not much unless you’re renegade architect Michael Reynolds, in which case they are tools of choice for producing thermal mass and energy-independent housing. For 30 years New Mexico-based Reynolds and his green disciples have devoted their time to advancing the art of “Earthship Biotecture” by building self-sufficient, off-the-grid communities where design and function converge in eco-harmony. However, these experimental structures that defy state standards create conflict between Reynolds and the authorities, who are backed by big business. Frustrated by antiquated legislation, Reynolds lobbies for the right to create a sustainable living test site. While politicians hum and ha, Mother Nature strikes, leaving communities devastated by tsunamis and hurricanes. Reynolds and his crew seize the opportunity to lend their pioneering skills to those who need it most. Shot over three years and in four countries, Garbage Warrior is a timely portrait of a determined visionary, a hero of the 21st century.

Earthship n. 1. passive solar home made of natural and recycled materials 2. thermal mass construction for temperature stabilization. 3. renewable energy & integrated water systems make the Earthship an off-grid home with little to no utility bills.

Biotecture n. 1. the profession of designing buildings and environments with consideration for their sustainability. 2. A combination of biology and architecture.

My Citizen News on Youtube

YouTube just announced their Citizen News “channel”. Its supposed to demo some of the best citizen journalism on their site. In this intro video they featured The “Bad Ass” Uptake! with a small amount of my video! Go 1 minute and 26 seconds into the vid and you’ll see Kirk Ross of The Carrboro Citizen. Its part of my video of the Obama/Super Chunk/Arcade Fire rally I shot and edited for The Uptake!

Gota say I’m jazzed to be small time Internet famous if only for a few seconds. To me this is MUCH bigger than being on TV. (thanks to @podcastmama for sharing this news with me via Twitter.)

I remain skeptical about the future of citizen journalism. Now that its mainstream like ReadWriteWeb is blogging about… when will it be co-opted? Has it already? Remember underground music called Indy Rock? When it was co-opted by record labels they destroyed its cool in record time.

Much more is at stake here than cool. The past seven years have told us what happens when journalistic integrity and good values get bought by war mongers more interested in profit than human life.

Sorry to harsh yer mellow. I’m still excited that creative people like me can share our labor of love with the world. All without the expense that broadcast corporations shoulder. Citizen content is king! 🙂

Barack Obama: Early Voting in NC

Obama mania has taken over North Carolina! I feel like I’ve had it for awhile. Sorta a rock star obsession saved for the likes of the Beatles and stuff. Yet in this case it isn’t so vapid. We have a real chance to elect a president that is not only better that Bush (duh!) but actually progressive! I have hope.

Now that NC is close to primary day we’re getting *some* props for our votes. Share this video with others. We have great one stop registration and voting here! I’ve already voted for Obama!

Oh yeah.. I have a ticket for the “Change Rocks” Superchunk concert for Obama in Carrboro on Friday May 2. Twas fun hanging out in line with friends.

If you come to Carrboro for this concert and you need to drive PLEASE park in a public lot. There is very little extra parking in town and tow trucks will be having a party too! ugh…

Obama in Raleigh

Yesterday I watched the Obama Town Hall event in Raleigh live. Didn’t make it there in person but I saw it via a live web cast on ustream.tv. Big thanks to Wayne Sutton for being there to share this with us. You can watch a copy of the video here.

Yeah the audio isn’t so great and the camera is shaky but so what. By the end of the event over 600 people “tuned in” at the same time and 45 people chatted together. The group experience made be feel as if I was there. The other chatters and I where together in a mutual experience that was funny, emotional, sarcastic, and thrilling.

To me it wasn’t about listening carefully to what Obama was saying at that moment. In my time-shifted audio and video world I expect to find a higher quality versions later. So for the moment I reveled in the virtual comradery of friends. Some I knew in person and others I met there.

Today there are lots of videos and analysis. The best recap of the Obama event was done by Pam Spaulding of Pam’s House Blend. Read Wrap on the Raleigh Obama Town Hall. Pam also live blogged the event too.