In 1999, the WTO protests in Seattle sparked a whole new wave of mass demonstrations and radical activism in the U.S. Really, the anti-globalization movement had been on the rise for years in other countries around the globe. But on those fateful days in Seattle, the slumbering giant of radical action was reawakened on the streets of America.

In the ensuing months and years, many different commentaries and documentaries emerged about the significance of those events in Seattle. One of these was a cult classic called “Break the Spell” that was embraced by many militant young dissidents for its focus on themes such as police violence and property destructions as a means of insurgent revolutionary action.

I’m not going to examine the movie itself. That would be too easy… :) Instead, I’m going to examine the overall theme of “breaking the spell” – its strengths, its failures, and the future as I see it.

As Samhain approaches, I can feel the veil between the worlds thinning...

So what is this "Samhain," and what does it mean?

There aren't really any words for what I'm feeling right now. But here I am, sitting in front of a computer, with little more than words to express myself. So here goes...

It's been a busy week or two... here's some of the latest:

*** Poetry. I still don't have most of my newest poetry online yet. BUT, I do have some of it online now, along with links to the older poems: treesong.org/poetry

*** Radio. For those of you who don't know, I have a radio show with my friend Aur every Friday at 10 am on WDBX 91.1 FM. The podcast is available on our website at yourcommunityspirit.org.

*** Happenings. There's so much going on in the near future that I may just stay home and take a nap instead of trying to sort it all out. But in case you're interested, there's a movie at the Big Muddy IMC on Friday; an AIDS fundraiser and "T-Shirt Party" at Upside Downtown on Saturday; and various other things coming up soon.

Pretty soon, I'll have more news to share about the updates to this website (treesong.org) and the two sites for my two latest books (Earth Conscious Revolution and Gaia's Orphans). Earth Conscious Revolution is already available locally at Rosetta Stone Bookstore, and Gaia's Orphans is due out Halloween 2006. (A post-apocalyptic novel coming out on Halloween! Brilliant, eh?)

Anyway, thanks for listening... and as a reward for your attentive reading, here's a link to Weird Al's website, which contains some funny new songs:

weirdal.com

My personal favorite is White and Nerdy. When I have more time, I plan on starting up a quiz that rates just how White and Nerdy each of you may be based on the lyrics of the song... :) My plans to go to the Ren Faire next Saturday (sirenfaire.org) will surely boost my score...

I just returned from the Earth Activist Training at Diana's Grove in Missouri. After two weeks of intensive learning about permaculture, activism, and beyond, I have plenty to share...