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So last night during pushups and situps I was watching the 'Nature of Things'  with one of my favorite people David Suzuki.  David and his daughter were doing a cross canada tour of  'Sustainable Urban Intiatives' through various cities in Canada.  It was an awesome reflection on Canadians ... despite the federal mindset, REAL CANADIANS were involved with sustainable buildings,  urban farming, alternate fuel sources, and recycling (Edmonton shines in this area).   The majority of this is driven by young people, the future of Canada is changing... people with the heart and time to make sure that what has been started continues far into the future. 

Not only do these concepts work in theory but the applications are effective economically as well, which can be a deciding factor in whether the concept 'takes' or not.   These intiatives create jobs, improves quality of life in urban centres (80% of the population lives in urban centres) and provides locally grown food for a significant number of people.  As all these young people continue to brainstorm and invent new ways of sustainable living these and new concepts will become integrated into society.  Sure it will take a generation ... however if we keep careful watch on big business and governing bodies with their sociopathic tendancies we CAN change things.  

On another note ... I know lots of people and a friend brought this to my attention ...
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Internet law expert Michael Geist recently revealed that behind-the-scenes, Big Media is pushing for powers that include website blocking⁴, Internet termination for unproven allegations of infringement⁵, and huge threats for sites that host user-generated content (like YouTube)⁶ in addition to the “most restrictive digital lock provisions in the world,”⁷ which are already in Bill C-11.

This approach is backwards: it suffocates online choice and it’s patently unfair.

It's time for policy makers to stop listening to megacorporate lobbyists and work to put Canada on the map as a leader in Internet openness and affordability.

Tell the Prime Minister and the Industry Minister to say no to the Internet lockdown before it's too late.

http://openmedia.ca/lockdown
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Its something to think about and investigate ... 

Regards
Sifu Beckett

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Paper Mache and Kung Fu

So I had an insight driving home from class on Friday night. Studying Kung Fu is a life long paper mache project! First you start with a wire frame which translates into basic techniques, stances, how to kick and punch, things like that. Practice and study is how you layer the glue and paper onto your wire frame to make it stronger and take on shape. Still though you have a very rough, lumpy looking art project. The finishing touches require that elusive concept of realism and requires the eye for detail that Sifu talks about all the time. So now each piece of paper is applied with a great deal of thought and patience, water or straight glue (tears and sweat) is used to smooth out rough edges and lumps that have appeared.

Essentially you create yourself into a martial artist ... no two are alike ... each journey is unique. And the best part! You are never really done ... you add the magic of the six harmonies to give your project life ... the skill of teaching ... so you can share your knowledge and experience ... the gift of leadership/mentoring so you can contribute to the evolution of another human being.

Does it get any better ... it might ... after all the author is not done yet!

Sifu Terry Beckett

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So my girls have made it back to their school in China, not without some serious hassle in Hong Kong getting their visa's and passports lined up for another year but they got back on the 1st of February. They tell me that the internet is down at the school so I'm not sure if we will be talking by next Wednesday but I hope so.

I got a cold probably thanks to the airplane travel but I have been sick this week and struggling to keep up my committments. Doing my situps and pushups 30 at a time rather than the usual marathon but still getting most everything done.

I have my Alpha Mind Training refresher course this weekend (one of my I Ho Chuan committments) and the next and will miss Tai Chi for the next two weeks and the I Ho Chuan meeting on Saturday which is a drag but I am not the person scheduling the program so I don't get much say.

Today I am grateful to be alive and breathing through my nose although I still sound like a frog.

Sick and grouchy so I will sign off and hope you all have a great week.