Bubble in the desert

A blog I started whilst on a GE "Bubble" assignment in Nevada. I'm back in Cambridge (UK) now but still miss the desert and my friends out there.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Man walks the Earth and does not speak for 17 years

I really enjoy Ted talks and this one is very special... http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/john_francis_walks_the_earth.html.

This guy witnessed a massive oil spill in the San Francisco Bay in the 1970s and was so appalled that he gave up petrol power transport and just walked. He also gave up talking for 17 years. He realised he didn't listen enough and through not speaking he was able to learn more - as well as teach and get a PhD.

Inspirational. Reminded me of the PCT hike and the people I met doing that. There is something about people who walk long distance.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

"The Secret" - AWFUL

I was very pleased that Maribel had a copy of the DVD entitled "The Secret" and we sat down to watch it on Friday.

The basic premise of "The Secret" is that there exists a "law of attraction" and if you are positive and wish hard enough you attract to yourself whatever you want.

I had hoped this movie would be about the power of being positive and how just being positive can allow great things to happen in your life. It turns out that the film is really not like that.

The film focuses on the power of being positive so you can get stuff. It shows footage of a boy who wants a bike and who really thinks about the bike, draws pictures of it and longs for the bike. One day and old bloke shows up and gives him the bike.

The film advises that if you want a Porsche you need to really think positively about owning the Porsche. You need to extend your arms and imagine yourself driving the car and you will end up getting it.

One example in the film was of someone who wanted millions of $ so he took a $1 bill and wrote $1,000,000 on it and stuck it on the ceiling above his bed and you know what? He had an idea that got him a $1,000,000.

If it is not bad enough that this is mystical clap trap the thing that really gives me the creeps about this film is that it is all about getting stuff, like that is some worthy aim. The film lets you understand that you deserve this stuff.

WHAT CRAP!

As if that is not enough there is an implication in the film that anything that goes wrong in your life is attributable to your lack of positive thought in the past.

WHAT COMPLETE CRAP.

Yes I believe that being positive is important but it's a bit sad if your only motivation in being positive is to get STUFF.

I am deeply disappointed with this film - go watch something else!

Friday, November 07, 2008

Meeting my MP - David Howarth - Regarding Allotment Provision

Most people find it funny that I chose to spend Friday night meeting my MP rather than going down the pub like everyone else. I believe that getting local food growing on the agenda is one of the most important things I have done this year and was very pleased to get some great support from David Howarth - who has even signed our allotment petition.

I feel like a kid with trading cards or something since my petition now has 2 heavyweights on it, David Howarth and Tony Juniper, former head of Friends of the Earth.

I am really grateful to Transition Towns and my friends in the Cambridge Transition Towns initiative, to be providing a framework for us to take some of these issues forward. I was really pleased that Colin Clews from the Transition Towns Food Group came along to meet David Howarth with me, and that Dave Fox has put together such comprehensive research regarding the allotment situation in Cambridge.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Woo Hoo!

Well done America! Thanks to all of my clever friends over there.

Carl

PS I won a bet on Betfair - $12 !

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

You know what to do today...!