Riverside Tokes for Phelps on the Varley Trail – Choogle On #78

On Lynn Valley’s Varley trail, Uncle Weed discourses on fascist sponsors and greedy PR hacks reacting to young Mr. Phelps’ situation, plus talk of value of art vs. artist and listener email about parenting advice, blind shopping cart incidents, and a situation with a Briton arrested and incarcerated in Japan plus a spiel on Group of Seven artist Frederick Varley.

Jump in the water for Riverside Tokes for Phelps on the Varley Trail – Choogle On #78 (.mp3, 30;14, 28MB)

Thanks

Chip in NH for editing/production

Bonus

Pro-pot group smokes Kellogg for axing Phelps – Olympic Sports
Bursting with indignation, legions of legalize-marijuana advocates are urging a boycott of Kellogg Co., including all of its popular munchies, for deciding to cut ties with Olympic hero Michael Phelps after he was photographed with a pot pipe.

Phelps acknowledges photo showing Olympic swimming star smoking from marijuana pipe – ESPN
While the newspaper did not specifically allege that Phelps was smoking pot, it did say the pipe is generally used for that purpose and anonymously quoted a partygoer who said the Olympic champion was “out of control from the moment he got there.”

Flashback: Phelps’ 2004 DUI didn’t cost him Kellogg’s endorsement | NORML’s Daily Audio Stash
Michael Phelps was convicted of illegally using a hard drug (alcohol is a hard, though legal, drug and Phelps was 19, not legal age to use it) when caught driving a car, running a stop sign, and pushing the legal limit for intoxication. Michael Phelps could’ve caused a serious accident and injured or killed himself and others. Kellogg’s didn’t seem to have a problem with that being “not consistent with the image of Kellogg”.

John Feinstein – Phelps Made a Mistake, But His Handlers Made It Worse – washingtonpost.com
Michael Phelps screwed up. Of that, there is no doubt. He went to a party in Columbia, S.C. in November and got caught on camera taking a hit on a marijuana bong. Someone sold the photo to a London tabloid and it ran in the newspaper this past Sunday.

Michael Phelps Should Not Be Sorry | The Cosmic Tap
Michael Phelps has nothing to apologize for. I understand the reality he faces, however, and why he has to say what he said. But let’s go beyond the breathless theatrics and think about the core issue. “He broke the law,” the pundits are saying, as if that is necessarily the end of the conversation. Sorry, but Phelps was not wrong; our marijuana laws are wrong. Really wrong.

Why Michael Phelps can’t bring his bong to the pool. – By Brian Palmer – Slate Magazine
On Sunday, a British tabloid published a November photo of Olympic champion Michael Phelps smoking a bong. Fortunately for Phelps, the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibits marijuana only during competition periods. How does a drug make it onto WADA’s list of…

Phelps is now the top Olympian of all time. Here’s what it takes …
US swimmer Michael Phelps made history yesterday when he scooped a record-breaking 11th Olympic gold medal. He has now topped the podium five times in Beijing. After his latest victory, he revealed the secret behind his six-days-a-week, five-hours-a-day training regime: an extraordinary 12,000-calorie daily diet, six times the intake of a normal adult male.

Michael Phelps’ marijuana use puts focus on debate over the drug – Los Angeles Times

America’s narcotic of choice – Salon.com
The Michael Phelps saga is yet another example of our addiction to feigned outrage.

Michael Phelps: Puppy torturer! – Salon.com
Come on, people, all he did was smoke some weed, like Bill Gates, Barack Obama and countless other overachievers.

Phelps Marijuana Arrests By Sheriff Leon Lott Columbia South Carolina -WSI 10 News
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department has been taking a lot of heat from people in this country and all over the world. They want to know why Sheriff Leon Lott is going after Michael Phelps. Many are saying the sheriff should concentrate on more serious crimes, or at the very least, not focus solely on the Olympic champion when there were others at the party who were also breaking the law.

Olympian Michael Phelps dropped from Vancouver motivational event – Georgia Straight

If you’ve been counting down the days to the arrival of Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps in Vancouver, you’re in for a big disappointment.

Phelps was slotted to speak at GM Place on March 6 for a motivational leadership event organized by Toronto-based promoter Power Within Inc., but was pulled from the line-up due to the recent controversy caused by surfaced pictures of him smoking a bong at a college party.

…

According to a statement released by Power Within Inc., the change in programming was “due to widely publicized alleged use of marijuana by Michael Phelps.” Numerous calls made by the Straight to Power Within Inc. were not returned.

Comment to article:

for anyone that thinks this as absurd as I do, please pass your frustration along to Power Within. If they don’t hear people’s displeasure with this behaviour they’re likely to feel it’s condoned.- http://www.powerwithin.com/4105/contact_information.asp – Submitted by unclespeedo on Wed, 2009-02-25 13:57.

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Rolling to the End of the Line – Choogle on #77

Rolling aboard buses, trolleys, Skytrain and Seabus, Uncle Weed discusses changing routes and riding transit for escape, exploration, creativity, inspiration and adds in tourist fun plus concerns about free expression, aggressive security and love for the Seabus in a special documentary dispatch from Upper Lynn Valley to Kitsilano in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

See Rolling to the End of the Line article in at I Love Transit Week essay: Dave Olson series at Buzzer blog (thanks Jhenifer) or “Rolling to the End of the Line” Transit mixed-media essay on the Buzzer at Feasthouse blog.

Hop aboard for Rolling to the End of the Line – Choogle on #77 (.mp3, 28:00, 26MB)

Photos

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge

Twitter updates

Transit dimsum via @uncleweed Twitter

Transit freeverse

change my route to think about the neighbourhoods
March 30, 2007

i change my route
from time to time
to think about
the neighbourhoods

switched Cambie 15
for Main Number 3
or Fraser if i don’t mind
cutting across Kingsway

skirted schoolgirls Xavier-bound
headphones, sweaters
in rows

downtown exchanges
spake in broken halts
sometime gleaming
often rain
occasionally sleet, hail or ice

Photo via Miss604 on Flickr

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Festive Musings from Wreck Beach – Choogle on #76

From Wreck Beach on University of BC campus Uncle Weed offers international, festive greetings with tales of journies to come, the feeling of the edge of the world, reflections of NYEs in Japan, cougars on the Baden Powell trail, float planes, ferries and barges, and mostly asking the universe what to do next? Plus special holiday greetings from Herby, now a free man. Music by Chris Jacobsen, from Filterland, Spilt Milk cassettes, circa 1994, Guam, Pacific.

Pants optional for Festive Musings from Wreck Beach – Choogle on #76 (.mp3, 18MB, 18:45)

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His Holiness Dalai Lama 14 is Canadian! – Choogle on #75

From the vault comes the story of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s honorary Canadian citizenship ceremony at the Canucks rink in Vancouver. Along with a rousing Oh Canada!, and the official ceremony, comes a few words of humour and counsel from HHDL14 and his eloquent assistant and discussion of the Dalai Lama Centre for Peace in Vancouver.

Get out your prayer flags because His Holiness Dalai Lama 14 is Canadian! – Choogle on #75 (.mp3, 15MB, 16:01)

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Clubside Breakfast Time – OlyWa Rock and Punditry – Blog – Feed – iTunes

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Taos Hi-Jacking Incident ~ from snowy Mayne Island – Choogle on #74

From a snowy Gulf island, Uncle Weed recounts an incident from a lost summer involving a hi-jacked VW bus and a surreal evening of trout, tribal chants, involuntary confinement, gun shots, and rabbit stew – plus a chance to win a HappyVappy Vaporizer Kit. Musical Interlude by Wm. Lenker of Steamboat Island via Pennsyl-tucky & Levon Helm.

Gonna be a long night: Taos Hi-Jacking Incident ~ from snowy Mayne Island – Choogle on #74 (.mp3, 36MB, 38:54)

Win a Happy Vappy Kit

I have two “Taxi-Cab Yellow” HappyVappy Vaporizer Kits as honorarium prizes for noble folk who want to lend a hand editing up Choogle on episodes or (optional) submit your own story – details in episode.

Learn about Podcasting with my “3Ps of Podcasting” spiel from Belated, but Joyful, Northern Voice Podcast Mop-up – See also: A handy enhanced Podcast on Web Tools and New Web Technologies (from a previous life), Sweet Nectar of Validation – NV08 wrap up, reviews and podcast

More Wm. Lenker on Postcards from Gravelly Beach

Levon Helm – Dirt Farmer Music, Home of the Midnight Ramble, Woodstock, NY

Evidence of the lost summer @ Arches Ntl. Park
photo by a guy named Sooby

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Win a Taxi-Cab yellow HappyVappy Vaporizer Kit! Details in the Choogle on with Uncle Weed episode #74

Drug Test Resistance in Belize – Choogle on #73

On back porch, Uncle Weed shares a personal message to the chooglers international followed by a spiel about tactics to resist a golf course incident induced corporate drug test using vigilance, friendly lawyers, a trip to Belize w/ broken wrist, and Tolstoy’s War + Peace.

Pack your bags for: Drug Test Resistance in Belize – Choogle on #73 (.mp3, 36MB, 38:45)

More about Drug testing and Privacy

Report on Privacy Issues in Workplace Drug Testing (.pdf) & Drug Testing issues chart (.doc) by Dave Olson circa 2003

Caye Caulker, Belize 2001 – photoset

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Travel Info

Go Caye Caulker, Belize

Ignacio’s Beach Cabins (cheap and rustic) on Caye Caulker:

Name: Reuben Reyes
Email: reyesreubenreyes (at) yahoo (dot) com
Email2: ignaciobeachcabins (@) yahoo (dot) com
Telephone: 501-226-0175
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1169
Belize City
Belize District

From BelizeLouge:

Ignacio’s Beach Cabins is well south of the main Caye Caulker village area. You won’t have many neighbors so it could be extremely relaxing, but that also means buying something at the village store or having more than one or two restaurants to choose from is a 10-15 minute walk to the north. The airstrip is about 5 minutes walk to the south, so it’s convenient if you are flying in and out.

From Belize Toucan Trail:

“Ignacio’s Cabins were opened in 1978 with just five units, an outhouse, bucket showers and cost BZ $3 a night! While the bathroom situation, number of units, and price has changed, not much else has. The main draw for this accommodation is that each private cabin has its own veranda with a view of the sea. Rooms are basic, hot water may be sporadic and it?s a bit of a walk from the village, but there is a private dock and an artificial reef off the dock for snorkeling. There is a small book collection in the main office for your leisure reading. There are a variety of prices depending on the size and location of the cabin, i.e. front or back and a two night minimum stay is required. These wooden cabanas have survived storms and hurricanes and thousands of budget travelers.”

“Ignacio Reyes was a fisherman and decided to open up the accommodation in the late 1970’s. Ignacio is the grandson of Luciano Reyes, one of the original settlers of Caye Caulker. Today, the hotel is managed by Ignacio’s children, primarily his son Ruben.”

Dual Beer Fest Action! – Choogle on #72

Starting at the Great Canadian Beer Fest in Victoria, BC (Vancouver Island), Uncle Weed samples some tasty ales and listens to lovely lasses play Hip tunes and chats with barmen and revelers. Much later (post appendectomy) UW and friends attend Oktoberfest at the German Alpen House in Vancouver where he recounts trips to Munich for while a young choogler and then rambles about old men dancing and such …

Line-up for Dual Beer Fest Action – Choogle on #72 (.mp3, 18:56, 18MB)

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High Witness Report at In-site Police Standoff – Choogle on #71

At a thwarted benefit concert for Insite, the supervised injection clinic in Vancouver’s troubled downtown Eastside, Uncle Weed chronicles the massive show of force by the Vancouver Police Department who shut down the Bedouin Soundclash concert and blockaded a full block of Hastings Street – ironically because, “pedestrians or motorists may be unduly put at risk by the event”.

The volunteers continued the civil disobedience bar-b-q to feed homeless folks despite the hullabaloo by the cops and vocal demonstrators attempting to incite a confrontation. Joined by the Quebecois Correspondent, UW discusses the political situation, harm reduction strategy, and gives a shout out to former Vancouver mayor Larry Campbell (now a Canadian federal senator).

Line-up for High Witness Report at the In-site Police Standoff – Choogle on #71 (.mp3, 10:47, 10MB)

photo by UW, art’ed by Bread the Producer

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Thanks to

Geoff Berner – accordionist
Dopefiend for voice talent
Quebecois Correspondent

More Coverage

Photo Essay: Part One and Two

Concert : VPD Reaction by dubesor on Flickr

What was expected to be a free concert and BBQ in support of Insite, North America’s only injection site, turned into an unnecessary standoff. This was precipitated by the Vancouver Police Department, who stormed in to block access to the event and eventually dismantle it altogether before it even began.

In this particular shot, a man that tries to approach the concert stage is roughly showed away by a member of the force’s Crowd Control Unit, as incredulous bystanders look on.

CBC: Bedouin Soundclash concert for Insite shut down by Vancouver police

More than 100 officers descended on the 100 block of E. Hastings Street, where hundreds of people had gathered to attend a barbeque and watch a concert by the Canadian band Bedouin Soundclash, in support of Insite, the city’s safe injection site.

Police said the structures and tents set up for the concert were taken down because the organizer, the PHS Community Services Society, which operates Insite, didn’t have a permit for the event.

More than 100 police officers helped city officials shut down a concert Thursday night in the 100 block of E. Hastings Street. (CBC)

“The city had declined a permit that was requested by the group,” Const. Jana McGuinness said Thursday night.

“The city is concerned that pedestrians or motorists may be unduly put at risk by the event.”

Mark Townsend, a PHS spokesman, said people should have the right to organize street festivities to support the safe injection site.

“It’s a demonstration. It’s what we are allowed to do. We’re allowed to put up tents, and it’s all organized,” Townsend said.

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Two Country Election Fest – Choogle on #70

Heading out to vote in his riding in BC, Uncle Weed rallies to a secondary voting location at the last minute while spieling about the election process, political parties and vast timezones. After filling out his Canadian ballot, he returns home to drink hot toddies, get baked and fill out his USA ballot while riffing about the left vote split resulting in the Canadian Conservative minority government, and expressing hope for good times ahead. Folk singer (and personal hero) Billy Bragg provides poignant music to inspire keeping faith in democracy.

Cast your vote for Two Country Election Fest – Choogle on #70 (.mp3, 40:45, 38MB)

Art’ed up by Bread the Producer

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See also

Uncleweeed on Dopecast #147 discussing the Conservative minority government and other Canadian issues with the Dopefiend

FairVote.ca – sign the petition for proportional representation

A few words for Democracy – resources and thoughts on grassroots involvement with public policy

Election Fest – photoset of ballots and polling places

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Postcards from Gravelly Beach – Literature podcast – Feed – iTunes – Blog

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Clubside Breakfast Time – OlyWa Rock and Punditry – Blog – Feed – iTunes

Hard Tokes with Herby in the Hoosgow – Choogle on #69

Herby is a Canadian doing 30 weekends in jail for a 2 light grow operation. He tells Uncle Weed about the conditions of “Guantanamo North” and answers questions about the trial process, political situation in Canada, and keeping his health up. Edited by Bread the Producer. Music from Under the Volcano fest.

Protect your rights with Hard Tokes with Herby in the Hoosgow – Choogle on #69 (.mp3, 17:45, 16MB)

More Herby:

Field Trip to Herby’s Garden with Dopefiend – Choogle #57

Tokes on the Porch Returns to Herby’s Garden – Choogle on #56

and/or Tokes on the Dopecast: Field Trip to Herby’s Secret Garden

Dopecast95: LIVE from Vancouver and Seattle!

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Postcards from Gravelly Beach – Literature podcast – Feed – iTunes – Blog

Out n’ About with Uncle Weed- Travelin’ man vidcast – Show – Feed – iTunes

Ephemeral Feasthouse – Miscellanea & notes – Blog – Feed – Podcast

Clubside Breakfast Time – OlyWa Rock and Punditry – Blog – Feed – iTunes