STARTING ANEW?

WHAT WOULD THOMAS JEFFERSON DO?

     As a prelude to the notion, is a notion itself.  Back in the early 70's I read a proposal that American electoral politics

would be more efficient if everything was done like a television rating service.  Well it was an idea before its time and not a particularly good one at that, but novel and bespeaking the need to "modernize" campaigning.

       Fast forward to what seems to be another endless and even more expensive campaign cycle and there is a new idea being floated.  Michael Eisner, ceo of The Walt Disney Company from 1984 to 2005 took to the pages of the LA Times to plug Americans Elect which will hold what they call the nation's first national online primary. You can learn more
by linking here to their web site.  
      I'm not sure of what to make of this particular iteration of an idea that has been kicking around for a while.  What I'm struck by is the logic Eisner employs in his advocacy. His dissection of the silliness and over weighting of Iowa and New Hampshire is spot on.
      American electoral politics has been through previous changes.  Information technology and systems have changed our ways of behavior in profound ways.  While the Americans Elect concept may not be the great salvation of the now costly and money influenced campaign process, it is a novel response and statement of dis-sastifaction with the way it is.
As Eisner says the current system is "mired in the past."  He adds "...we are burdened with a system that gives the bullhorn to the smallest voices and makes the majority feel unheard." 

DAY BOOK

CACTUS AND SUCCULENTS
Thorns of another type 

See you down the trail.

MICHAEL ON FIRE--A UNIQUE PERFORMANCE & SUCCULENTS, CACTUS AND THEIR FANS

EXTRAORDINARY MUSICAL ARTIST

      Michael On Fire played the Painted Sky this Memorial weekend in what was one of the most powerful and personal performances I've seen.

      Michael and his band, mesmerized the audience in the historic recording studio.  He is a powerful lyricist painting images that connect with something deep in the psyche in a way that makes you feel you have known the songs and ranged over the emotion of them for your whole life.  His tunes are as though they were pre ordained in your memory.  Almost his entire play list clicked open a receptor that made it immediately recognizable, though I'd never heard his music before.  Weird huh!  And the stories they convey also reach deep in a haunting way. He covers a landscape of history, spirit, aspiration and grit. 

     He is a sincere and engaging troubadour.  His band were all masters of their instrument. In the room that evening was a give and take between artists and audience that was palpable. 

     I urge you check him out.  His music will not leave you soon. Here are a couple of samples.

THE ANNUAL SHOW

       The Central Coast, South Africa, an area of the Mediterranean, south and west Australia and portion of Chile share a unique climate and growing zone.  Succulents and cactus are a part of that mix, especially where drought resistant plants do well.
       Those exotics are celebrated on the Central Coast by the Central Coast Cactus and Succulent Society.  They are so celebrated there is a waiting list to join the Society.
This year's show, the Fifth Annual, is a case in point.
        Look at the people in que to ring out their purchases.

Yes, that is a double line.

with four cashiers at work.

 These are scenes from the "sales" room.

Ribbon winners are presented further down the post.

THE SHOW ROOM AND THE RIBBON WINNERS

I was ignorant about succulents and cactus until our move to the Central Coast.

I knew a little about desert cactus, but very little.  I've been fascinated to discover the wide variety of plant and marvel at their exotic and other worldly look.

The picture below reminds me of a character out of Star Wars.

If you are curious, we did take a couple of new plants home where they'll join our succulent garden.  Frequent readers of the blog have probably seen photos in previous posts in our Day Book section.

See you down the trail.