Summer listening #1

This group has come around again, and again, it seems. Simple mix, earnest and intense playing, catchy ideas and tunes. I first realized I had something to listen to when I heard Funk #49 on the radio. As I listened I heard familiar sounds, as if the band was copying Boston, The Eagles, even Led Zeppelin. But no, it's the other way around - Joe Walsh, guitarist in the James Gang, had a lot to do with the band's sound. Walsh went on to join The Eagles and also has had a significant solo career.

Summer reading #4

Mark Boyle, an Irishman living in England, spent a year without spending money, to try to show that money is actually not necessary for survival in the modern world. Underlying Boyle's adventure was a firm belief that money was, and is, a system of convenience. It served a good purpose at first, but eventually became an end in itself, with the added problem that it creates an illusion of security, where we no longer rely on personal relationships and good faith in our local community.

Boyle set himself up with some rules to guide his actions. One interesting rule is that he will not willingly use fossil fuels. Therefore he went off the hydro grid completely. There are many interesting facets to the outworking of that rule alone, well worth the read.

Boyle admits that dumpster diving is not a sustainable way to bolster what's in your pantry, but he explains that he feels responsible for reducing the amount of waste, which the retailers of food - who are out to make profit, and bound by arbitrary food freshness regulations - do not want people to know about.

Most of Boyle's food came from what he was able to grow himself, or barter for by volunteering to work on a local farm, or by foraging wild plants that often grow in our area, are edible and which we no nothing about. He is also a vegan.

For those of us interested in reducing our wastefulness, Boyle reminds us of the burgeoning "freeconomy" movement, which is based trade. Two examples of web sites devoted to this are justfortheloveofit.org and localskillswap.com.

Actually, I was inspired by some of the lessons Boyle learned along the way, one of which was to be less critical of the choices others make, and to really embrace the Pay it Forward philosophy. What Christians refer to as the providential grace of a personal God, Boyle understands as a general principal of the universe: if you give back to mother earth, and its creatures including people, then at the right moment it will give you what you need.

Not an exciting read, not for everyone, but very thought-provoking and full of gems!
4 stars out of 5