Friday, 30 March, 2012

Short post. The pictures I promised some days ago:
Mimosa trees pushed down by strong winds:

and the avant-garden:

Monday, 26 March, 2012

Silence lasted a long time. Now birds sing again. At night an owl in far distance. Dry pollen dust floats in transparent clouds pushed by soft wind like spirits dancing between trees.
Loneliness is not physical, its an emotional state of mind.

Spirits dancing between trees.

Saturday, 17 March, 2012

“Sorry” was about all he said. Got back into the car and drove away. Leaving me and Tomas on the side of the road about 2km from home. I lifted him up, 25kg, and carried until I couldn’t hold him any longer, about half way. It was almost dark and I was in the middle of the forest. Quick I walked home for the wheel barrow. Shit, flat tire. Took it anyway. Only downhill from where Tomas was, except the last little bit. Lifted the dog in the barrow and rolled downhill. For the last bit up I carried him again. Went back for the wheels. Reaching Juntas estate I covered the barrow with a steel plate and heavy stones to avoid Tomas would become night-bait. Next morning I buried him on his most favorite spot.
Tomas was hit by a car. He jumped at the car while driving by. The clash broke his neck. Immediately death. I saw it all happen from 20 meters distance. No one to blame. I knew Tomas had the habit jumping at passing cars, but in the short time we where together I learned him to stay with me if a car approaches so I hold him. We practiced this on the same road he died, where there is barely traffic. For some reason this time Tomas was too far behind. The car drove fast.
There are a two things I don’t like to hear (especially not in accusatory tone); ‘you should have…” that doesn’t help anymore. ‘Should have’ is always nonsense talk. Tomas walked without leash. After more than a year being strapped in the dog-shelter he deserved to walk free. He listened and behaved pretty well to my commands. That road we walked more often. It was a short strip we used to connect one forest path with the other. Another remark “it was just a dog” is unacceptable.
Half a year ago at the shelter I choose Tomas on the spot out of 130 dogs I got to see within 15 minutes. It was intuition. I felt we could get along together and probably so did he. Tomas was on first sight happy, friendly and positive. In the following months I was convinced making the right choice. Intuition never lies. Tomas had a very good character. Didn’t harm anyone, approached everybody and everything positive and learned quickly. We became very good friends. Every morning he waited for me in front of the bedroom door. We played together few times a day. Walked twice a day and sometimes went on long hikes.
On the first day Tomas came to Juntas I had to leave for a short time. Unsure if he would stay I chained Tomas on the dog house. While away Juntas was hit by a heavy thunderstorm. Returning I found Tomas torn loose from chain shaking in the corner of the kitchen in fear getting punished. I did the opposite. Released him from the belt, dried him with a towel and moved the dog basket on the veranda next to the front door. From now I knew Tomas would not run away plus I decided taking him with me as much possible. The dog house I demolished few days later. Within 2 days Tomas moved himself from veranda to living room couch. He became my companion everywhere we went. When shopping he jumped in the car and waited on the parking patiently until I returned. Working at Juntas Tomas lied down somewhere distant but in a way he could always see me.
All the people learning to know Tomas loved him. They all recognized his amazing positive character. Some declared Tomas the ideal ‘model’ dog. It would be too good if all this would last a lifetime.
Tomas liked sweet smells, especially from soap. He licked the shower floor after I showered or steal freshly washed clothes from laundry lines. He learned right away staying away from my clothes, but some visitors suddenly missed shirts and such. He once picked a piece of laundry soap and buried it. In the corner of my eye I saw this. When the owner screamed for his soap I showed him where to dig.
Tomas loved car rides. When I picked up the car key’s he already impatiently ran towards the vehicle eager to jump in. Often returning he didn’t want to get out. I let him lie leaving the door open.
Tomas liked standing on two feet. Often he jumped friendly against me his front legs resting on my arm. Together we danced. Although I am in doubt Tomas was ever aware we moved on music, he loved the exercise.
Every evening, before going to sleep, I gave Tomas some attention and wished him goodnight.
I taught Tomas everything with rewards using small chunks of bread. He loved bread (see post January 6 this year). It would be impossible to physically hurt this dog with such an amazing friendly attitude.
“Sorry” is not enough for more than just a dog. His sudden unexpected death should not have happened. Juntas feels very empty. Tomas will be missed.

Tuesday, 13 March, 2012

Industrial music is a style of experimental music that draws on transgressive and provocative themes. The term was coined in the mid-1970s with the founding of Industrial Records by the band Throbbing Gristle, and the creation of the slogan “industrial music for industrial people”. In general, the style is harsh and challenging. Allmusic defines industrial as the “most abrasive and aggressive fusion of rock and electronic music”; “initially a blend of avant-garde electronics experiments (tape music, musique concrète, white noise, synthesizers, sequencers, etc.) and punk provocation”.
Not my words. Text is borrowed. Taking last post in consideration the term ‘industrial music’ is very misplaced. What we seem to title ‘industrial’ is the furthest from what industry stands for: commercial success! Lets make a historic change and name things right. Industrial music is Britney Spears or Michael Jackson, Drake, The Wanted,… On the end all ‘pop’ music is ‘industrial’. The complete scene has only one goal: produce cash! Pop music = industrial music!

Thursday, 08 March, 2012

Had my first evening dinner outside on the terrace this year. It was a warm sunny, like summer, ending in a sultry evening. Sky turns pink red. The sun or another forest fire? Had outdoor lunches throughout the complete winter, but in the evenings it cooled of too much sitting outside. Now it seems the ‘winter’ is over.
Lets write some more about the eucalyptus problem in this territory (see posts March 1 & 2). The way humans turned this world upside down makes it impossible changing something. Whatever attempt you do living environmentally aware, there is always a questionable side. Sure you can do little things like refusing the plastic bag in the store or such, but these bags are made anyway. If you don’t take it next customer will. The group of people shopping environmentally aware is so small it will not stop plastic manufacturers producing less. Anyway, most ‘friendly’ packed products are more expensive most people can’t afford them, if willing to shop (and live) aware. Overall I think the ‘masses’ don’t give a damn! Both situations: enjoying consuming in wealthy communities or surviving in poverty. Nowadays only the rich can afford the choice of an ‘alternative’ life-style like vegan, biologic, environmentally friendly,… Choice is luxury.
Although I don’t see anything wrong with activists shaking the masses (or part of) sometimes, I think best is let those masses be what they are. Industrialization brainwashed them all and with ‘all and industry’ we happily destroy the world. Best is to create an environment for yourself where you do less ‘wrong’ possible. Taking care of yourself and surroundings. In Portugal are many private initiatives like the one I work (Juntas). Estates purchased with the goal to create an opposite against the ecological eucalyptus disaster. Not to destroy an economy, but finding back a natural balance.
Industrialization did brought wrong concentrations of natural ingredients, raw material or complete species (plants, animals,…), making Earth almost impossible for humans to survive on. Maybe that’s the evolution of how humans exterminate themselves. Pollution is our destiny!