Bear is going to be blog-invisible for a little while. No, I'm not going to be going on a holiday. I'll be right at home.
But I'll be busy.
I don't know if all you have heard about the "Occupy Wall Street" movement. Basically, thousands of people are saying, "We're mad as hell and we're not going to take this any more." (That line is from the 1976 movie Network; the script by Paddy Chayefsky and direction by Sidney Lumet.)
There are many situations to which people are objecting. They're mad about the collapse of civil society, and the banks messing with the government "bail-out" money (taxpayers money that went, apparently, into profits and handouts, rather than helping the people who had put money into banks and were supposed to be helped.) There are a lot of other issues as well, including the misuse of power by police, and the failure of government to effectively handle problems facing the nation.
In North America, this process began on Wall Street the same day as my birthday. Slowly alternative media picked up the story, then mainstream media were embarrassed into following the events.
Here is one of my favourite pictures on the event.
Responses to the "occupation" have been very different.
In New York, billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg, has sicced the police on the protesters.
In Los Angeles, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa handed out 150 ponchos to protesters in the rain. Yesterday, seven of 15 members on that city council voted in favour of a motion calling the protest "A peaceful and vibrant exercise of First Amendment rights." The motion goes to final vote next week.
Which in a way, is making the protesters point. If there is difficulty, maybe its being caused by the politicians.
So far, the event has spread to 147 cities. In Barcelona, the activity has been going on since May 15, with major demonstrations almost every day.
And now, even to Canada, that quiet little backwater best known for it's chronic politeness.
Saturday, October 15, is going to be a nation-wide solidarity protest in Canada, supporting the Occupation of New York. It will be happening in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. And it will be happening in smaller cities, too, like River City.
So, Bear is going to be busy helping get things ready. Our first planning meeting was Wednesday night. Hastily called, primarily through Facebook, 52 people met in a church basement to consider options. Bear is helping with communications (which probably won't surprise any of you who are regular readers).
As I said, I'm going to be busy. If we do it right, it will convey a powerful message, and be a good time.
See you when the "fun" is over. Or we take a break.
Blessings and Bear hugs until then.
First, a very deep word of appreciation to you who have "felt my pain," and done something about that. You are so kind to have sent warm wishes and encouragement. I get by with a lot of help from such friends.
Second, I am getting better. The more I rest my leg, the better things are feeling. I had tea this afternoon with a friend who is having knee problems. About which he was in to see a specialist fairly recently. The specialist's advice to my friend: lots of rest for knees, a little bit of walking, or (better still) swimming. I feel vindicated! I'm being good, getting lots of rest, which is my excuse to spend lots of time visiting the blogiverse (or whatever you want to call it).
Third, I will be going back to my vet in about a week, by which time I expect to be much better — maybe even close to all better. (Oh, wait. Not my vet, my doctor. Sometimes I get a bit carried away with this ursine persona.)
As to what happened to me, well, it's like this. . . .
One other thought, while I'm on the subject. Diana, over at Welcome to My World in the "running" for the title of "Most Bionic Woman Since Jamie Summers." Diana has had two knees replaced at the same time. (If that isn't a hero, I don't know who is.) Physio is next. We, however, have not signed her up for the Boston Marathon. Yet. Perhaps you could drop over and pass on a cheery word. Thanks.
Oh, dear. Oh, my!
Bear is totally confused.
They threw a holiday into this week to totally confuse me. And they succeeded.
First, since yesterday was a holiday, this feels like Monday. So I'm writing my Monday post. But it's on Tuesday. And since it's Tuesday, I wrote on my Bears Noting blog.
So. What I was planning to write — here — yesterday — you can read there, at my Bears Noting blog, today. Clear enough? Sorry!!!
I will try to get my mind unscrambled sometime this week. I make no promises.
In response to questions about finding the various poems in the Bear poetry contest, you need to go to Rachel Westfall's blog, The Waxing Moon. The contributions are spread over several postings; check the attached comments to the posts. I've put in the links for all four of the key posts on Rachel's blog
As I mentioned earlier, I won a poetry contest. (Still can't really believe it — has something to do with my self-image about not being a poet.)
My prizes arrived today. Wow! Excitement!
First, a beautiful Bear picture — a fitting award for a contest related to Bears. This, from Rachel Westfall, of Whitehorse, in Canada's Yukon Territory, who sponsored the contest. (My picture of her picture doesn't do justice to her work —you'll see much better on her blog.)
The other two items are also part of the "prize package."
The pinkish bear is carved from Jade (technically "Rhodonite") at the Cassiar Mountain Jade Store in Jade City, British Columbia. It's also from Rachel. The "Bear Paw" is from another contestant, S. L. Corusa, an amazing poet (like Rachel) who lives in Manilla, in the Philippines. (There are no boundaries to the world wide web!)
So to Rachel and S. L., thank you, and many thanks again. These are cherished items.
