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Ambassador of Joy

Peace is every step. There is no way to peace. Peace is the way. Thich Naht Hahn

About Me

I'm politically active, left leaning Green Party Socialist with an agenda to conquer the world one smile at a time--hence the name Ambassador of Joy. I am unapologetically idealistic. I think that love really is the answer regardless of the question, that we need to plant a lot more trees, consume a hell of a lot less, and realize that "stuff" will never make a person happy. I like to read, but seldom do I read the latest bestseller. I think people should read more, and watch less TV. Actually killing your TV is probably the best thing one can do.Peace begins with a smile. - Mother Teresa

My Interests

Peace, love, politics, religion, soccer, music, environmental issues, social justice issues, teaching English, learning Spanish, Latin America

I'd like to meet:

People who love.

Music:

Everyone should listen to Bob Marley. EVERYONE! I like a lot of different stuff. FavoritesGroundation, U2, 21st Century Dreamtime Lions, Iron Maiden (when I'm feeling old school), older Metallica, Billy Bragg, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Mike Guillermo, Ziggy Marley, Manu Chao, Lila Downs, etc

Movies:

Most of what Hollywood turns out is worse than crap. I don't like movies where the trailers show a bunch of shit blowing up to the sounds of rap music. If the latest action hero is flying through the air firing some sort of weapon, I'll definitely pass.I like period dramas, romantic comedies (yeah I said it!) and real adventure type stuff. I love documentaries.Must watch films according to me:The Revolution will not be televised,Tibet:Cry of the Snow Lion,Life is Beautiful,GhandiBrokeback Mountain.

Television:

My television is turned off a lot more than it's on these days. Network television will turn your brain into some sort of non functioning jello-like gray blob. I never watch it anymore.

Books:

I like literature a lot. Dickens, Hardy, Eliot etc. I think everyone should read Ruth Ozeki's works. George Orwell's stuff is brilliant and 1984 is a must read. All three of Frank McCourt's books are excellent. Angela's Ashes is particularly brilliant. Get it on audio and let McCourt read it to you. You can redeem the time you're spending in the car. I think everyone should read Thich Naht Hahn.The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr.

Heroes:

When I was a kid it was George Brett the third baseman for the Royals. Now I have other heroes (in no particular order)Bob Marley-- Musical genius and prophet, Hugo Chavez--President of Venezuela, Martin Luther King Jr.-- no intro needed, Howard Zinn-- Historian, professor, and activist, Rosa Parks-- Started Montgomery bus boycott, Jack Herer-- Emperor of Hemp, Mike Guillermo-- personal friend, Mel--soulmate T-- man of the world, best friend Bono-- rock icon and activist, Jesus-- radical, love promoting Nazarene, Ghandi-- radical peace promoting mystic, Mother Teresa--exemplified love and compassion, Fred Hampton--murdered member of the Black Panther Party, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama--Buddha of Compassion, Thich Naht Hahn--Monk, Author, and educator.

My Blog

Permaculture Payitforward Project

Permaculture Pay it Forward ProjectPermaculture is a contraction of the two words permanent culture. One of the problems facing American culture right now is personal debt. Debt is keeping my family f...
Posted by Ambassador of Joy on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:41:00 PST

Permaculture certification

I recently attended a permaculture certification course at the Ecovillage Training Center in Summertown, TN. While there I learned a great deal, and got a lot of resources for further exploration. I f...
Posted by Ambassador of Joy on Thu, 04 Oct 2007 07:47:00 PST

Musings

I've been doing a lot of reading lately, and thought I'd pass on some thoughts  and questions provoked by the author's words. Why is it that "civilized" humans are the only species on ...
Posted by Ambassador of Joy on Wed, 22 Aug 2007 06:23:00 PST

Home again

Back in the good 'ol USA or not so good USA as this case generally truly is. We spent a long time travelling across the country by car--always a joy for someone who loathes internal combustion and fos...
Posted by Ambassador of Joy on Mon, 13 Nov 2006 09:44:00 PST

Made in China

Some great information about the situation in Tibet with regards to Chinese governmental atrocities can be found in the following: Paul Theroux's Riding the Iron Rooster; Freedom in Exile: The Au...
Posted by Ambassador of Joy on Wed, 21 Jun 2006 10:13:00 PST

Hugo Chavez

This is an article I wrote for the university paper. Just thought I'd post it here as well.   Why all the fuss over Hugo Chavez? Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been in the news a lot in re...
Posted by Ambassador of Joy on Thu, 18 May 2006 07:09:00 PST

Fascist America

PLEASE NOTE: I realize I'm not the first person to do something like this.   I had to do a persusasive speech the other day. I chose to presuade my audience that America has hit the fast for...
Posted by Ambassador of Joy on Fri, 28 Apr 2006 06:44:00 PST

Mini-rant.

Turn off the tube, turn off the radio, and read a book. Learn about yourself, our past, our planet--something beyond what the media spew forth on a daily basis. Life is the school. Love is the le...
Posted by Ambassador of Joy on Thu, 03 Nov 2005 01:00:00 PST