All we need to learn is how to behave in such a way as to invite a more obvious presence of the celestial Father. Would you expect Him to appear in a dishevelled home where despair is blithely served on a sullied plate? In a home where the television competes with the violent video games and the parents are scheming for another adulterous escape?
All we need to learn is how to permit godliness in every human interaction and we’ll have arrived. And enough of us arriving at this new holy setting will assure the acceptance of our invitation of that much neglected personality who will fill our need for a father figure, and then some.
“And there shall be no more death
Neither grief, nor crying nor pain any longer,
And I who sit upon the Throne say,
Behold! I am making all things new!
To the elect of righteousness
I am made a banner.
And a discerning interpreter of wonderful mysteries.”
-Krishna, from the Baghavad Gita splitting type with
The Righteous Teacher of the Dead Sea Scrolls
HORRORSCOPES
With Ms Urble
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Eyes Agog on the Blazing Stars
ARIES
The sun is in your rear view mirror blinding the Gemini driver behind you who is raging at Mars for a war with his wife when he gets home. Pull over.
TAURUS
Your husband is blinded by his house in Mars. Tell the Scorpio to crawl out the back door. Now.
GEMINI
Pass this moron in front of you and catch the duplicitous Virgo in the act.
CANCER
Name change application declined. Sue an Aquarius bureaucrat.
LEO
There is an Italian element of risk in Libra’s House. Don’t make waves or risk another Titanic. Take wing! Aries needs you! Go straight.
VIRGO
Far too busy dearie. Lie, and live longer.
LIBRA
An awkward Sun Saturn this Tuesday means Wimpy still isn’t paying for the burger.
SCORPIO
The sun is currently moving through the area of the chart which determines how fast you can crawl the hell out of there. Given Gemini’s state of fervor, Mercy is a passing owl.
SAGITTARIUS
The most important (and urgent) thing right now is that you contemplate realistic targets. Sleep in, think about it but Scorpio’s looking a little weak.
CAPRICORN
You are the leader of the free world today. That would be your deceased mother. So be nice.
AQUARIUS
The moon is at right angles to your left ankles so your planet is in restriction until you get the bracelet removed. Send Martha a post card.
PISCES
Listen to what others tell you today because you are desperate for material for your internal monologues. When the Sun is in its fourth house and aligned with Mercury’s Leo, return to abstract thinking.
The sun is in your rear view mirror blinding the Gemini driver behind you who is raging at Mars for a war with his wife when he gets home. Pull over.
TAURUS
Your husband is blinded by his house in Mars. Tell the Scorpio to crawl out the back door. Now.
GEMINI
Pass this moron in front of you and catch the duplicitous Virgo in the act.
CANCER
Name change application declined. Sue an Aquarius bureaucrat.
LEO
There is an Italian element of risk in Libra’s House. Don’t make waves or risk another Titanic. Take wing! Aries needs you! Go straight.
VIRGO
Far too busy dearie. Lie, and live longer.
LIBRA
An awkward Sun Saturn this Tuesday means Wimpy still isn’t paying for the burger.
SCORPIO
The sun is currently moving through the area of the chart which determines how fast you can crawl the hell out of there. Given Gemini’s state of fervor, Mercy is a passing owl.
SAGITTARIUS
The most important (and urgent) thing right now is that you contemplate realistic targets. Sleep in, think about it but Scorpio’s looking a little weak.
CAPRICORN
You are the leader of the free world today. That would be your deceased mother. So be nice.
AQUARIUS
The moon is at right angles to your left ankles so your planet is in restriction until you get the bracelet removed. Send Martha a post card.
PISCES
Listen to what others tell you today because you are desperate for material for your internal monologues. When the Sun is in its fourth house and aligned with Mercury’s Leo, return to abstract thinking.
The LamaKing Under the Ping Pong Table
On one occasion in this balmy sunshine of Peru, Patrick and I had to share the ping pong table with a visiting lama (not quite as important as a dignitary but close in the imperious deportment department). So Lama-King was regally crouched under the table at Patrick’s end and being the friend of all furry creatures he took it upon himself to pet the thing and slobber some false sentimentalities all over it. LamaKing thought this was splendid of course. Then Patrick having won the noble beast’s friendship with his two step petting bit decided to get friendlier which of course LamaKing balked at in a most surprising way, apparently interpreting the friendliness as a nuisance. Quite at ease, it just lifted its head ever so and eyeballing the Patrick boy almost imperceptibly inhaled and fwatted this stream of lama-drool arcing into the air in that kind of motion artsy filmmakers use to show lovers running toward each other trying not to look imbecilic. That saliva shot looked like it might weigh a good pound while it was wending its way toward the hapless Patrick who was obediently staring at the critter.
LamaKing cont'd.
Face immobilized just so the slop hit him rather just between his eyes. Oh dear. The irritable Irish temper in Patrick was busy in the escalating mode while removing his greasy glasses and looking for something of substance and area to wipe his face with. While fulminating with a wicked expression on his face he decided he’d inform the LamaKing that that was in the no-no dept, especially in the domain of pissed off Irishmen. So while wagging his finger rather furiously at the face of Lamaking, the imperious beast interpreted this as a gesture for an encore and so nonchalantly obliged. Another perfectly executed zinger to replace the slop from the last one. At this event, the battle ended unceremoniously with the deposed formerly sentimental King Patrick beating a retreat to the med building, leaving his ping pong opponent in a heap on the grass laughing convulsively, risking an ‘accident.’ LamaKing was kind and left the heaving thing alone holding his stomach.
“Laughter among earthlings is the triumph of an infinitely patient cosmos.”
RESOLUTION TO THE PRINT MEDIA FRENZY
Now in this province of the globe, we can take receipt from the courier who crossed the shimmering Georgia Straight under the afternoon sun to offer a dose of something to make us west enders feel better within 24 hours (especially after reading all those mundane celebrity stories repeated in that common media), and then actually enjoy reading one thing and that would be The English Bay Banner.
Take a stand. Raise a Banner.
AN INTERESTING QUERY
A visiting psychologist was seated with us in our Choseca dining room and our conversation led to a reflection on the quality of knowing. The specialist of the human mind enquired of me, “Why do you think knowing brings with it a sadness?”
This was a question to contemplate and it kept me up that night. The next afternoon I showed the doctor these words.
“Laughter among earthlings is the triumph of an infinitely patient cosmos.”
RESOLUTION TO THE PRINT MEDIA FRENZY
Now in this province of the globe, we can take receipt from the courier who crossed the shimmering Georgia Straight under the afternoon sun to offer a dose of something to make us west enders feel better within 24 hours (especially after reading all those mundane celebrity stories repeated in that common media), and then actually enjoy reading one thing and that would be The English Bay Banner.
Take a stand. Raise a Banner.
AN INTERESTING QUERY
A visiting psychologist was seated with us in our Choseca dining room and our conversation led to a reflection on the quality of knowing. The specialist of the human mind enquired of me, “Why do you think knowing brings with it a sadness?”
This was a question to contemplate and it kept me up that night. The next afternoon I showed the doctor these words.
Grave Acknowledgement
In its inexorable flux the personality of the infinite creates and knows more. And this knowing bears a price, even of the divine. The acknowledgement that its intimates are becoming grist to afford the boast, “Behold! I make all things new again!”
Man’s increase in knowing reflects this quandary. The sadness of loss tempering the thrill of knowledge gained.
Perhaps sadness is too sentimental, eschewed in the fierceness of divine action. It is more a grave acknowledgement of the vagary of being that one hears in the lawgiver’s declaration, “I am that I am.”
But to whence are the former intimates dispatched? All to places in a sky of their own custom, in weirdly embroidered raiment about their newly robust bodies, formed over millennia by the utterance of each compassionate syllable driven to God. Such is the bounty of Light.
Man’s increase in knowing reflects this quandary. The sadness of loss tempering the thrill of knowledge gained.
Perhaps sadness is too sentimental, eschewed in the fierceness of divine action. It is more a grave acknowledgement of the vagary of being that one hears in the lawgiver’s declaration, “I am that I am.”
But to whence are the former intimates dispatched? All to places in a sky of their own custom, in weirdly embroidered raiment about their newly robust bodies, formed over millennia by the utterance of each compassionate syllable driven to God. Such is the bounty of Light.
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Now boys and girls...
Now boys and girls, read ALL the way down to Issue #1 logo because quite apart from the fact that this issue is brim full of intrigue, drama, and mystery, THERE’S GOING TO BE A QUIZ!
For me, it’s time to take five, and have a happy makeover! Thanks to Continental Airways, five hours to L.A. then another four to Lima (see stroll below). I get to choose down here from an assortment including green eye contacts, a variety of brown (real alpaca!) wigs, 28 different lipstick shades…
For me, it’s time to take five, and have a happy makeover! Thanks to Continental Airways, five hours to L.A. then another four to Lima (see stroll below). I get to choose down here from an assortment including green eye contacts, a variety of brown (real alpaca!) wigs, 28 different lipstick shades…
38-B?
But do you think hoisting 38 B cups might be over the top? And no way am I shaving my leg hair (a man really must have something left to support his vanity). Besides, these legs are truly brewmesisters having won many a hairy leg contest in Canadian pubs. But not to worry, fans. My secret agents are well placed to keep me posted.
Super-Throat
Speaking of whom, let’s start with our very own Super-Throat.
According to this former employee of the Davie Street Super-Valu, he alleges that employees there are often paid illegally low wages, are encouraged to beat shoplifters; the Hells Angels shop for free there and when one disgruntled ex-employee was discovered to have brought his grievance to the Labour Relations Board, he was beaten.
Does this have the ring of truth?
Anonymity in this light is all the more understandable here and also even in the case of the authors of the comments posted here. Isn’t it nice to know we live in a community where we have to hide our identity while practicing our right of free speech?
I was interviewed on CKNW last Thursday during afternoon rush hour by Philip Till (see their CKNW web site and visit their “Audio Vault” for a hearing) and he really didn’t seem to approve of this boycott business. He wanted to know if I had any evidence that Ross McLelland was indeed a member of the Hells Angels. After badgering me with other questions of a huffy nature (as he struggled to emulate a tough journalist), I, feeling somewhat exasperated, stated for all and sundry, “I'm certainly not going to go do my grocery shopping at a place that's owned by a Nazi." I wanted to ask Phil of the silvery voice, “Would you send your boy child to a pedophile to buy his candies?” The general point here is simple: any tolerance of criminal activity or association is tantamount to tacit support. We live in the society we create.
According to this former employee of the Davie Street Super-Valu, he alleges that employees there are often paid illegally low wages, are encouraged to beat shoplifters; the Hells Angels shop for free there and when one disgruntled ex-employee was discovered to have brought his grievance to the Labour Relations Board, he was beaten.
Does this have the ring of truth?
Anonymity in this light is all the more understandable here and also even in the case of the authors of the comments posted here. Isn’t it nice to know we live in a community where we have to hide our identity while practicing our right of free speech?
I was interviewed on CKNW last Thursday during afternoon rush hour by Philip Till (see their CKNW web site and visit their “Audio Vault” for a hearing) and he really didn’t seem to approve of this boycott business. He wanted to know if I had any evidence that Ross McLelland was indeed a member of the Hells Angels. After badgering me with other questions of a huffy nature (as he struggled to emulate a tough journalist), I, feeling somewhat exasperated, stated for all and sundry, “I'm certainly not going to go do my grocery shopping at a place that's owned by a Nazi." I wanted to ask Phil of the silvery voice, “Would you send your boy child to a pedophile to buy his candies?” The general point here is simple: any tolerance of criminal activity or association is tantamount to tacit support. We live in the society we create.
The Role of Gaelon Weston
So who is actually responsible for actively supporting this business besides the shoppers? The suppliers. And one of those suppliers whose posters you can find regularly on its windows there on Davie Street is President’s Choice Foods. I attempted to contact a spokesperson for President’s Choice and as I was surfing around the net to ascertain to whom I should speak, I discovered that Loblaws was the parent company of this brand name. Loblaws is a huge corporation of assorted national grocers which include the SuperCanadian stores and Westfair Foods out of Calgary. So it seemed I would need to discuss this issue of supplying this specific Super Valu with someone from Westfair or Loblaws. But after a few more minutes of surfing, I discovered that actually Westfair is a subsidiary again of Loblaws. And that particular Super Valu franchise was arranged through Westfair Foods.
And the man behind Loblaws is Canadian magnate Gaelon Weston out of Toronto. Now part of the mandate of the Loblaws organization is to communicate effectively with the public but having tried now several times to reach Mr Weston and ask him how he can justify having sold this franchise to a Hells Angel and continue supplying him to this day, Weston has deigned not to respond. So while Weston lounges around in Florida ignoring these calls to take responsibility for what’s transpiring at one of his franchises, our community must put up with this shadowy blot of an enterprise. Thanks Mr Weston.
I remember his bread trucks in Toronto. They featured a lass of about 10 with her blonde hair tied in two cute curlies, chomping into some yummy white bread. Where, I wonder, might she be these corrupt days? On the back of some hog, maybe?
If you feel that Mr Weston should be made accountable for this state of affairs on Davie Street, maybe you’ll have better luck reaching him. His office number in Toronto is 416-922-2500, and here’s his home phone number in Florida: 772-388-4072
While you’re on the horn to him, you might ask, as I will if I get a chance, if he would be prepared to guarantee the jobs of the current employees of this Super Valu until its ownership issues get resolved. Why, after all, should these workers at the bottom of the creepy power chain here be victimized by the questionable moral status of their boss and the sloppiness of the parent group in selling that franchise to him?
So to make it perfectly clear:
CALLING MR GAELON WESTON. CALLING MR GAELON WESTON.
WILL YOU GUARANTEE THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF THE DAVIE STREET SUPER VALU WHILE YOU SORT OUT THE OWNERSHIP ISSUE OF THIS FACILITY?
There you go, Philip. Now you can go back to your mirror stroking that lovely voice of yours.
And given the current state of significant indifference, is it too ludicrous to consider that coming soon to a food shelf near you might be…
And the man behind Loblaws is Canadian magnate Gaelon Weston out of Toronto. Now part of the mandate of the Loblaws organization is to communicate effectively with the public but having tried now several times to reach Mr Weston and ask him how he can justify having sold this franchise to a Hells Angel and continue supplying him to this day, Weston has deigned not to respond. So while Weston lounges around in Florida ignoring these calls to take responsibility for what’s transpiring at one of his franchises, our community must put up with this shadowy blot of an enterprise. Thanks Mr Weston.
I remember his bread trucks in Toronto. They featured a lass of about 10 with her blonde hair tied in two cute curlies, chomping into some yummy white bread. Where, I wonder, might she be these corrupt days? On the back of some hog, maybe?
If you feel that Mr Weston should be made accountable for this state of affairs on Davie Street, maybe you’ll have better luck reaching him. His office number in Toronto is 416-922-2500, and here’s his home phone number in Florida: 772-388-4072
While you’re on the horn to him, you might ask, as I will if I get a chance, if he would be prepared to guarantee the jobs of the current employees of this Super Valu until its ownership issues get resolved. Why, after all, should these workers at the bottom of the creepy power chain here be victimized by the questionable moral status of their boss and the sloppiness of the parent group in selling that franchise to him?
So to make it perfectly clear:
CALLING MR GAELON WESTON. CALLING MR GAELON WESTON.
WILL YOU GUARANTEE THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF THE DAVIE STREET SUPER VALU WHILE YOU SORT OUT THE OWNERSHIP ISSUE OF THIS FACILITY?
There you go, Philip. Now you can go back to your mirror stroking that lovely voice of yours.
And given the current state of significant indifference, is it too ludicrous to consider that coming soon to a food shelf near you might be…
Gay Heads in Sand?
Interesting to note: the highly visible, politically active gay community of the west end has had absolutely nothing to say on this boycott issue. Too preoccupied as to their next parade route?
Some interesting correspondence…
Dear Members of the Davie St Business Improvement Association,
In deference to the good works of your organization, especially here in the west end, I ask all your thoughtful members to boycott Super-Valu on Davie Street until it is no longer owned by a Hells Angel and has no more affiliation with that organization.
I have asked Gaelon Weston, the proprietor of Loblaws, the seller of the franchise and one of the chief suppliers of Super Valu, to guarantee continued employment of those employees there until this ownership matter is resolved to the enhancement of our community.
See www.ebaybanner.blogspot.com for details.
Sincerely,
R H Langen, west end, Vancouver
From: Davie Village BIA
To: ides
Cc: Steck, James
Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2005 9:44 AM
Subject: Response to request to Super-Valu boycott
Dear Mr. Langen,
This correspondence is in response to your email dated April 1, 2005, in which you request that all of our "thoughtful members boycott" the Super Valu on Davie Street.
Firstly, we do not have a mechanism in place to forward correspondence to our members. Our newsletter is used to communicate to our membership, but there is not a place in that vehicle in which we include any form of solicitation. It is not our mandate to boycott our members.
Secondly, since receipt of your email we have been in touch with both the Owner and the Manager of the Super Valu here on Davie Street. Mr. McLellan, the owner for the past 30 years, has also confirmed for me that there is no ownership matter that is presently unresolved. I would like to bring to your attention and make reference to our mission statement and our core values. Should you provide a mailing address, I would happily send the same to you. They will soon be posted to our website, which is currently under construction.
Specifically, I refer to Core Value 1. "We respect both the dignity of individuals and the rights of all the members of the Society regardless of sexual orientation, gender, gender choice, cultural or ethnic background, age, physical or mental ability, socioeconomic status or political, religious or social affiliation or beliefs. In this we seek to identify and remove barriers to participation in the activities of the DViBIA."
One of the many purposes of the BIA, according to the Constitution, is to develop, encourage, and promote, business in the Davie Village Area. To this end we assist the merchants to increase business, not force them out! As we are unable to assist you in this matter, I would suggest that you follow up with another form of media involvement or communication tool. Indeed your website refers to "helping people have their own voice on the web". Perhaps that could be the vehicle for your campaign.
For your information, your letter has been forwarded to the Board of Directors, many of whom are merchants on the street within our designated BIA boundary established by the City of Vancouver.
Respectfully, Lyn Hellyar, Executive Director, Davie Village Business Improvement Association.
Dear Ms Hellyar,
See below for information you may also like to pass on to your membership. After reviewing this material and perchance even reading these books or the Sun editorial about how "These Angels are Devils", you might want to consider a re-evaulation of your "core values" and the company you keep.
An interesting excerpt:
"...how a few citizens stood up to the bikers and paid for that bravery with their lives. Murder plots, drug deals, money laundering and assassinations are brought to life through never-before-revealed police files, wiretaps and surveillance tapes."
By the way, how thoughtful of you to ask for my address. -R H Langen
Some interesting correspondence…
Dear Members of the Davie St Business Improvement Association,
In deference to the good works of your organization, especially here in the west end, I ask all your thoughtful members to boycott Super-Valu on Davie Street until it is no longer owned by a Hells Angel and has no more affiliation with that organization.
I have asked Gaelon Weston, the proprietor of Loblaws, the seller of the franchise and one of the chief suppliers of Super Valu, to guarantee continued employment of those employees there until this ownership matter is resolved to the enhancement of our community.
See www.ebaybanner.blogspot.com for details.
Sincerely,
R H Langen, west end, Vancouver
From: Davie Village BIA
To: ides
Cc: Steck, James
Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2005 9:44 AM
Subject: Response to request to Super-Valu boycott
Dear Mr. Langen,
This correspondence is in response to your email dated April 1, 2005, in which you request that all of our "thoughtful members boycott" the Super Valu on Davie Street.
Firstly, we do not have a mechanism in place to forward correspondence to our members. Our newsletter is used to communicate to our membership, but there is not a place in that vehicle in which we include any form of solicitation. It is not our mandate to boycott our members.
Secondly, since receipt of your email we have been in touch with both the Owner and the Manager of the Super Valu here on Davie Street. Mr. McLellan, the owner for the past 30 years, has also confirmed for me that there is no ownership matter that is presently unresolved. I would like to bring to your attention and make reference to our mission statement and our core values. Should you provide a mailing address, I would happily send the same to you. They will soon be posted to our website, which is currently under construction.
Specifically, I refer to Core Value 1. "We respect both the dignity of individuals and the rights of all the members of the Society regardless of sexual orientation, gender, gender choice, cultural or ethnic background, age, physical or mental ability, socioeconomic status or political, religious or social affiliation or beliefs. In this we seek to identify and remove barriers to participation in the activities of the DViBIA."
One of the many purposes of the BIA, according to the Constitution, is to develop, encourage, and promote, business in the Davie Village Area. To this end we assist the merchants to increase business, not force them out! As we are unable to assist you in this matter, I would suggest that you follow up with another form of media involvement or communication tool. Indeed your website refers to "helping people have their own voice on the web". Perhaps that could be the vehicle for your campaign.
For your information, your letter has been forwarded to the Board of Directors, many of whom are merchants on the street within our designated BIA boundary established by the City of Vancouver.
Respectfully, Lyn Hellyar, Executive Director, Davie Village Business Improvement Association.
Dear Ms Hellyar,
See below for information you may also like to pass on to your membership. After reviewing this material and perchance even reading these books or the Sun editorial about how "These Angels are Devils", you might want to consider a re-evaulation of your "core values" and the company you keep.
An interesting excerpt:
"...how a few citizens stood up to the bikers and paid for that bravery with their lives. Murder plots, drug deals, money laundering and assassinations are brought to life through never-before-revealed police files, wiretaps and surveillance tapes."
By the way, how thoughtful of you to ask for my address. -R H Langen
Brave Writers
Hell's Angels
Written by Yves Lavigne
Category:
True Crime - Murder
Publisher: Seal
Format: Paperback, 304 pages
Pub Date: August 2000
Price: $10.99
ISBN: 0-7704-2858-4
ABOUT THIS BOOK
Hell's Angels: Taking Care of Business is the ground-breaking book that launched Yves Lavigne's investigative series into the Hell's Angels. This book traces the growth of the Hell's Angels organization from the early, rowdy "club" to the insidious, far-reaching superstructure that now exists. Today's Angels still value the grinning death's head, but they keep it for funerals, runs, initiations, and laying heavies. Angels, like the undercover policemen who tail them, prefer street clothes to blend with their surroudings. In a world of drugs, prostitution and pornography, the shadow the Angels' wings falls on all of us. Hell's Angels: Taking care of Business is a fascinating and startling read.
REVIEW QUOTES
"A searing account of violence and underworld business"--Winnipeg Sun
"Alarming reading"--Toronto Star
"Lavigne's book is an original. He writes in a way that compels the reader to feel, sense and taste directly what motorcycle gang life is all about."--Clayton Ruby
Written by Yves Lavigne
Category:
True Crime - Murder
Publisher: Seal
Format: Paperback, 304 pages
Pub Date: August 2000
Price: $10.99
ISBN: 0-7704-2858-4
ABOUT THIS BOOK
Hell's Angels: Taking Care of Business is the ground-breaking book that launched Yves Lavigne's investigative series into the Hell's Angels. This book traces the growth of the Hell's Angels organization from the early, rowdy "club" to the insidious, far-reaching superstructure that now exists. Today's Angels still value the grinning death's head, but they keep it for funerals, runs, initiations, and laying heavies. Angels, like the undercover policemen who tail them, prefer street clothes to blend with their surroudings. In a world of drugs, prostitution and pornography, the shadow the Angels' wings falls on all of us. Hell's Angels: Taking care of Business is a fascinating and startling read.
REVIEW QUOTES
"A searing account of violence and underworld business"--Winnipeg Sun
"Alarming reading"--Toronto Star
"Lavigne's book is an original. He writes in a way that compels the reader to feel, sense and taste directly what motorcycle gang life is all about."--Clayton Ruby
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