Halloween Costumes

I almost forgot it was Halloween until I read until I read Sadie's post about halloween costumes... I got to thinking about how much I enjoy Halloween.

Last year, I went as a monk and tried my hand at making a costume from scratch. This involved finding the right material (heavy brown wool blanket), and hand stitching the robe together in the shape of a uniform piece of shit. Needless to say, I was not very impressed.

The year before, I had decided to get an early start on a costume by starting a beard 3 months before Halloween in an attempt to authenticate my Jesus costume. As the deadline drew nearer and nearer, the sad state of my facial hair resulted in a last minute switch to Gilda the bearded woman, which I might add was a great hit at the pyramid cabaret.

This year, I have no costume. I don't know why I didn't start thinking of one earlier, I don't know why I'm not nearly as concerned as I should be. Usually I love putting on a costume. Other successful outfits included a lighting bolt wielding Zeus, in second year engineering, and 'The Puzzler', a last minute creation consisting of puzzle pieces glued onto a t-shirt and a gold leprechaun hat.

I don't know where I went it my head the last few months, but I feel re-energized for some reason. I think it's because I realize that I can't keep quiet anymore about the way this world is going. We're up spiritual creek without any prayer to hold onto. I think I know a sign though, I really do. I think that if the rest of the world focuses very closely on election day for the US of A then we'll see some very unusual data at the Global Consciousness Project. If my prediction is right, then statistical anomolies should appear at the dozens of EGGs around the world when the results are being announced. What does this mean? If these are random numbers, generated as randomly as possible, then what does it signify that standing waves can be made is the sea of chaos? How is it that our global perception can change the very fabrick of predictability?

This election promises change. If Bush wins, well, that terrible path is taken. If Kerry wins, we may see a friendlier face in the global arena but in the long run we'll also see how very similar 'the two popular' ideologies really are. Nader is also a possibility. It's a possibility that he might take away enough votes to prevent a Kerry victory (courtesy of stavrosthewonderchicken). If that happens you have to wonder.. Why would someone possibly vote for Nader when they know that they're voting Bush in for four more years? We'll see if that question is answered on election day.

I guess I should probably drop the Nader subject. Nobody really wants to hear from their guilty conscience, their progressive side telling their true feelings, nobody wants that if it means a possibility of four more years of Bush. All I'm suggesting is that in four more years there should be another election, and then perhaps you can vote for what you believe.

Sometimes I wish I was an American. I wonder how heavily I'd be involved in the system if I was given the opportunity of a different path in life. Politics interest me a great deal and sometimes I feel frustrated because I have sit on the sidelines and watch the real political struggle take place. Canada is pretty boring in that way, although like the rest of the boring world interesting things are starting to take place. Sometimes I wish there were more people here. Would the values that Canadians cherish mean more in the world if there were more of us?

At any rate, this promises to be a most interesting time in our history. I await with baited breath the outcome of November 2nd, 2004.

Mosh the vote

moshthevote.com (via GNN)

I don't care whether you like Eminem or not, but I think that everybody can get something out of this video. Some might condemn it as materialistic - pandering to commercial gain by exploiting the mood of the world to sell a record. Others might see it as an act of satan, the devil himself reincarnated to turn the prophesized path of redemption off it's path. Most, however, will see it for what it truely is - the amplified noise of a world awash with frustration over the value choices of the American administration and it's figurehead.

I can only hope that the American youth will dissect the lyrics of this song as feverishly as youth have consumed musical lyrics throughout history. Music is an amplification... a mood can be conveyed, a memory of an event or time when history changed, a truth finally told. When America and the rest of the world holds their collective breath and takes a leap into the unknown. Everyone knows the status quo couldn't hold forever.

Perhaps I'm too pesimisstic, but I can't help and feel that this song will lead to a sudden upswing in Kerry's favour, but when the election day comes, Bush is going to win... And then, oh then what terror shall be unleashed. Anger and frustration, the disillusioned's final illusion shattered. And the world shall watch on, an anger and frustration that reverberates the echo.

Of course, this is only if Bush wins. I figure if the turnout is so obviously in favour of Kerry there will be wild jubilation followed by an empty feeling of what next? What can possibly be done to right the wrongs that have been inflicted on the world? What can we all do to make the world a better place?

At any rate, I'll be wearing a black hoody on November 2nd, 2004 to show my solidarity towards those who are down trodden by those who hold the power. It's the very least I can do to show my support. It's not like I can vote.

Voting is an interesting concept when you think about it. Here we are, collectively making a decision that benefits the majority of us, or so we think. How can anyone really tell what the right decision will be? How can you even quantify 'right'? Is it to vote for the ideals that have the greatest chance of opposing those you find distasteful? Or is it to vote for the ideals that resonate most with you. See, I would be torn if I was an American. If I was to vote for the candidate who best represented my values, I would vote for Ralph Nader. I encourage you to go to that site and read through the values that he represents. Ask yourself: Do I share his morals? If you answer yes, ask yourself if voting for Kerry will really do anything different then Bush.

Of course, the prospect of another four years with GW at the helm is scary enough to banish foolish notions of change. What Bush is doing to the world is evil; I know that I'm not alone in saying that. War, disdane for the environment, religious and ethnic intolerance, capitalism at all costs and above all money for those who are richest, those are the values that Bush adheres to. Oh - Amageddon, too. So you're faced with a choice: Which is the lesser of two evils? 4 more years of Bush or a lifetime of corporatized 'freedom', a denial of the destruction going on in the world around us.

So the choice is yours. Make the right one for you. Know this, though my southern neighbours: The world is watching and awaiting the outcome of this election. If anything I've said about the Noosphere is correct, then our perception gives you strength, gives you clarity and gives your choice weight and meaning. I can tell you this for sure - 11/2/04 will resonate very greatly with the global consciousness. Random number deviations galore, and that is a definitive prediction. If the world focuses on the american elections as intently as I believe it will, there will definately be statistical anomolies registered all around the world on their EGG machines. At least I hope there are, otherwise everything I believe is crap, and I really don't want that to happen.

You'll feel it, you know. There will be a shiver down your spine, goosebumps and prickly feet. A general sense of uneasiness and excitment will haunt you all day. Change will be in the air but what will that change bring? Uncertainty. Random choices, collectively chosen. Relationships with friends, enemies, any type of connection will become more meaningful on this day of power, but ultimately the path you follow is yours alone, and you have to live with your choice.

Remember this, though. The rest of have made a choice, and it's resoundingly anti-Bush. The principles that he adheres to are anethma to the progressive individuals. There are too many issues in the world that are trivilized as either black or white with this administration, when in reality nothing is ever that simple. I'll make another prediction here, if I may. The world was tricked into fearing him once - we won't be fooled again. His deceptive nature and willingness to do anything it takes to be relected only strenghten our resolve to reject his arrogant imperialism everywhere we can. This world belongs to all of us, not just the haves. Please weigh heavily on your responsibility and wear a black hoody while exercising your right to change history.

JibJab

You know, I love the guys at JibJab.com... there's just something about poking fun at the foolishness of both sides that make's it so funny. I'm sure most of the world has seen their first breakthrough video but, as they say, they've gone and done it again. Poignant accuracy and rapier wit rule the internet, it just takes the right minds to collate the data and present it in a hilarious form. Hats off to these guys for breaking the 5th wall and bringing a little of the internet into the hallowed halls of Big Media. I remember when I saw their first spoof on CNN; I thought to myself '"this is the first time I've seen a cartoon from the Internet make it onto the boob tube this is a great day" and I was shocked, but not as shocked as I will be if I don't see JibJab on my local news at 6.