Meditation Level

Be ye Perfect ?

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:57:00 +0000

Irie Ites!

Sometimes life occupies oneself so much that there is no time to really sit down and think. Such is a case also behind this silence in meditation level. I've kept myself too occupied for the past year in mundane things so that I haven't had time or will to write down anything except some lyrics for various music projects.

But anyway, today I picked up mail, sat down, ate and read a magazine by a local church. There was an article, in which a local Lutheran priest and imam was presented with bunch of questions about their faith. And the answers of this priest made me think about interpretation of Jesus Christ - as member of Twelve Tribes and as a person who grew up with Evangelic Lutheran church.

One of the questions was, loosely translated:

Q: Why Jesus is a good rolemodel for a human.
A: Jesues lived as he preached. He loved God and fellow man like he loved himself and did not hold himself any higher then the rest. He wanted to emphasis a goodness of God towards man and acted based on that.

On the very same article, the first question presented to this priest:

Q: How christian can be sure that Jesus was God in human form
A: Only through their faith. But not only through that but also because what Bible is saying. Bible is highlighting the godhood of Jesus. One cannot read bible in objectivity, for a christian it tells the story special position of Jesus Christ. Bible opens up to a christian.

Im my opinion, these two things contradict each other, and essentially this tells about the story that you should not try to understand bible on your own but believe what priests are telling you about it.

Why do I think this way?

In John 14, Jesus is talking about the glory of Father and that he was send here to make use follow the path and life that is him so that we can come to know God. So, through Jesus we can find God that is within him. Not that he is God. Jesus makes this point often: he is but a messenger of his Father's will.

In Matthew 5:48 it's written down:

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Be perfect. From the teachings of Jesus we find a way to be like God. End of the road, like a word telios can be translated. So, should one believe in the word of Jesus that one and one should seek the end of the road and the find God through him or blindly believing a church and priests when they are preaching that Jesus was God - fact that he himself denied and told as to reach the goal that he was preaching about? To me this sounds that a tradition of monopolising the faith of one to be dictated by ruling few.

So, if there are any readers left or even if you are a new reader - please do share your thoughts on this topic to the comments section.

Man Of The Millenium

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 22:29:00 +0000

Itinual praises to the Most High, Haile Selassie I on this glorius day of His 80th coronation. And heartical blessings to all brothers and sisters who dwell in UNITY and love under His name! Selah!

Today was a day of His Majesty's coronation. I'm sure brothers and sisters gathered all over the world to sing songs of praises unto his name. While His Majesty remains to be a figure of Godliness for some, its good to remember that not all share that vision. Few years ago there was a documentary released about history and life of His Majesty which im pretty sure i've mentioned in the blog previously. Today for no obvious reason, i found the document on YouTube and due to being a special day, i wanted to share this find with you readers.

Below is a quote from the director.

Although no longer in power, Emperor Haile Selassie I, is still feared by many political figures as if he still were. This great diplomat, political leader, and man of extraordinary character is considered to be the Father of Africa and one of many Ethiopian Kings who truly dignified the country. The heir to a dynasty that traced its origins to the 13th century, and from there by tradition back to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, Haile Selassie is a defining figure in both Ethiopian and African history.

More than 30 years have passed since he was last seen, not considering the sighting by Rastafarian believers who praise him as a religious figure. After completing this project, I cherish my Rastafarian brothers and sisters even more. For years they have held my homeland Ethiopia and her true flag in high esteem, even as we Ethiopian natives have been busy destroying our own history and studying foreign ideologies. I recognize and respect the Rastafarian religious movement and the power of religion in general, but the basis of my argument is not religious. For me, it’s a question of history, dignity, and the respect of one’s self.

Why are we so afraid of his history? Why can't we speak of him? Admittedly, he was not a perfect man. We cannot change history or undo what has been done. Still, his legacy is too great to be ignored. He deserves to be mentioned. The new generation should not be robbed of the knowledge of him.
Man of the Millennium is a feature documentary that attempts to link the past and the present. It is a film about a king and the new generation trying to discover hidden parts of history. A film that gives past figures a voice to tell what they witnessed. It is not just a biographical documentary. It is a film where you find the new generation struggling to catch up with the past. You will witness the true life experience of artists creating songs and films about issues that are considered by some to be politically undignified, but those that I consider to be history; a history that must be told.
I am not a historian. I am just a simple filmmaker eager to know about this king. I am inviting you to accompany me on my journey to discover history. I have waited too long...and I believe the time has come for what I know is right. The time has come to know His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie.
Tikher Teferra
Director

I've sold my soul for an easy gold.

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 12:03:00 +0000

In the heat of the field or a gray cubicle space
people slave to stay in this rat race
working just to please the superior man
exploiting you, just because he can
he will rip you off anything you got
you and you and everyone in your block
you gotta watch out for a slavemasters whip
seeing is beliving, this is just a tip

Hail Rasta, never sell your soul
don't fall into temptation of an easy gold
just work for yourself and nobody else
promises promises thats all what he will tell

Hail Rasta, never sell your soul
don't fall into temptation of an easy gold
just work for yourself and nobody else
promises promises.

Thats a first verse and a chorus for a really old song of mine and words hit the target these days. I wrote that one quite a while ago, after coming back from a work having had a conversation with "the boss man". I had completed some extra tasks and i did the well but found out in the end that i was being ripped off even thou things where "promised". I ought to have memorized these words to my heart and do what i've been singing.

Its funny thing you know. I'm not a very popular singer in the local circles in sense of mass following but i do get offers to voice songs and gigs. Actually, i do get so many offers that i tend to turn down the offers more than i actually commit into. Once in a while there's someone whom i feel that deserves something but i do need to feel that the respect of doing the works goes both ways in form of respect. Easy way to do archive this is that i ask for a very nominal fee. It doesn't always have to be money, it can be pretty much anything but the most important thing is that I can trust that the other person is man of his word. If i take my time and effort to commit into your time schedule, write a song that i don't intend to voice for anyone else, i consider that to be a show of respect for your works. But in same vain, i expect that you commit to same. This spring i voiced one tune for a few people and was promised a payment of a very nominal amount that wouldn't even cover a studio time if i'd done it elsewhere. I bring in my own gear, i've put time in to write a new song and taken it away from time available for a family. I bring in my own mic, stand & cables which i had to go and fetch from another place. Afterwards, i get messages almost every day for couple of weeks because "you haven't delivered the pics taken in the session".

But when it comes down to getting what was agreed to be paid, i hear nothing. No phone calls, no messages, just nothing unless I ask and even then, few occasions my phonecalls where not even answered as we already had set a date and time where we should meet.

And in the end, i've been accused for "selling my soul" because i'm asking for a reward that this person promised to deliver 3 months ago.

Apparently this fellow did have enough money and time to travel to Denmark and Norway but not some 20km from his house. But hey, atleast i got my song to be played in one session and also im a shitty person for trusting a person to be man of his word and holding his part of the transaction.

I really do feel like i've sold my soul but the reason is definitely something that i've been accused for. I've whored my name and time for sure and for that i'm angry and passing the judgement for myself. Why can't i just keep doing my own stuff and avoid these sorts of people who are there only to exploit others?

Im such an idiot.

Rastafari Teachings - Of Tolerance and Compromising, part 2

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:44:00 +0000

I dont have much to write about at this time, some unexpected but yet expected things happened after my last post. I'm sure there are people on the look out now and this post is dedicated to them!

Solo Banton - Rastafari Teachings.

Of tolerance and compromising

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 22:55:00 +0000

Long time again since i last wrote something but here's something again - like the slogan says, stuff here is "everyday thoughts" and for a quite a while now work and life has had so much stuff happening that i've really had no time to sit and digest the stuff.

Today i took the time, went to a nearby canal from my office and meditated -
took a deep breath and just sat there. And the result is that now i have 2
thought lines that i'm trying to follow if they reveal something.

Anyhow. I was having a small chat on facebook with a one guy the other day and talk turned into a old Issue that got blown out of proportions. If i'd generalize the message from the conversation, i'd would be something like this: It's ok to hold a group of people "under your leash" if you do it for right reasons.

As a rastaman, and as a thinking person i have to wonder that isnt that statement already fulfilled in already existing system? Everything works to a degree if masses people follow the same rules and offenders will be punished. Still slaving for the system, it still has hold of your mind - how you think and act.

Its like a parrot saying the same sentences over and over again because those are what where teached to it.

Still, i don't really want anarchy either but still i want real freedom. I am free - or atleast i do want to be - to practice my life as i want. But if I take my freedom my morals and rules the next level and extend it toeveryone, what am i? I'd be nothing but a new incarnation of mind controlling product of the system.

I couldn't live with myself if i'd knowingly downpressed a fellow man.

Smaller question or iteration of what i wrote above, could be directed to myself about the same topic. Am i passing judgement here or am i falling to the same brothers keepers mode. And things get even deeper when you shut the door in front of your brother whom's acts you might not approve but you mingle with liars and thiefs. Wickedness increase. I don't mean to rant here nor am i pointing fingers to any camps - this is a generic question to each and every man:

Where do you draw the line of tolerance and compromise in your life?

Support the works!

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:41:00 +0000

And support the elders.

If you are fan of dub music and have a good heart, now is time to show it. Idren Kris Naphtali has put together a digital downloadable album available at his website. Showcase of various producers all around the world entitled: In The Garden Of Dub. 22 tracks of pure dubness from artists like Error Arawak (King EarthQuake soundsystem), Kris Naphtali himself, Kibir La Amlam, Crucial Alphonso and more!

And all this for free! But there's a gotcha. Heartical one too if you don't mind me sayig that ;) If you like the vibes, there's a donation button on the page and all the proceedings will go directly to the Word Sound And Power Collective and thru them to the elders of the rastafari movement.

Let the hungry be fed, the naked clothed, the sick nourished, the aged protected and infants cared for.

So, what better way there would be to chip in a dollar, euro, yen, pound or what ever than to download this and hit the donation button and drop in any amount of cash you feel you can spare.

http://www.myspace.com/wordsoundpowercollective

PS. If you would like to get the pamphlet above in bigger format or even for print-outs for the local idrens, you can download it here:

http://www.krisnaphtali.com/WSPCPDF.zip

Continuing where i left off ...

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:06:00 +0000

.. in my previous post.

There was a post in one reggae website by a person going under a name Fiyah Kong. He shared a post that was title called "Difference between Heaven and Hell". I think it goes just fine with what i wrote in the previous post so i thought i'd share it:

The Difference between Heaven and Hell

A holy man was having a conversation with RastafarI one day and said, "Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like." RastafarI led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large roundtable. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water. The people sitting round the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. RastafarI said, "You have seen Hell."

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and fit, laughing and talking. The holy man said, "I don't overstand." "It is simple" said RastafarI, "it requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other."

Egos and Unity ?

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:01:00 +0000

For starters, i have my doupts that this blog entry will decrease my "social standings" but i gotta have my say, for better or worse.

So, Egos and Unity?

Im a sort of a person that likes be alone or atleast with very few people around. My history with rastafari movement in Finland stars when i was on my teen years, somewhere around 18 or 19, so its roughly around 15 years now. First contacts I did at the time where either thru emails or actual letters written to people i didn't know, asking for guidance or what ever. Yeah, youthman finds the way to manage to feed his hunger. But quite early one, it was evident that inity, peace and love i had read about was just a pipe dream shared only by small closed groups of people. Years go by and im pretty sure that more than once i've had my share of egoism effecting people around me. But when it comes to rastafari community in Finland, i just can't understand this.

Every time there's someone proposing some works in unity, there are those who oppose. Every time there's someone who's organizing gatherings or nyahbingi, there are those who are not welcome, those who are left out or just forgotten. Every time, We have a need to work towards a common goal, there are those who make it their agenda to put bricks on the road. Everytime there's a need to lend your helping hand for a next man, you turn down your hospitality because its not part of your livity.

Sometimes it feels like that all this talk about I's - or "mInä's" like we say it in finnish - we have forgot the way to live with our fellow man. We can't cooperate, we can't compromise because its all about the I. And I and I And I n i and i n i n i. Sickening. Yeah, so you might be absolutely correct when you chant to words of Inity. You have reached that, I - nity. But is that enough for me ? How about if you spell it like it is supposed to be. U n I ty.

For this bingi, if that bredrin comes, that sister wont, for these works, they dont support your cause because its babylon thing.

Look into yourself. Maybe you are contempt with the I's but there is no I with U. How mighty and righterous it must feel to exclude the U's from the I's ? Standing on the pedestal and bowing to the throne! Majestic for real. We are the kings, we don't mingle with the peasants.

So, next time there's a bingi, don't wonder why the U is not there. Next time there's a gathering, don't wonder why the U is not there. Next time you want a counscious singer in your studio, make sure he's blindfolded to the facts cuz the singer wont be there. The UnI is somewhere else where people are people and counted as such and let me tell you, its almost in the heart your Babylon among the normal people. Not in throne rooms where lords and majesties scheme and poison each other.

Rastamia - Introducing Rastafari (2006) - Document

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:43:00 +0000

An hour long documentary introducing the cultural, historical and spiritual aspects of Rastafarianism as explained by a group of followers in the City of Miami. The film delivers a message of hope and reconciliation by systematically explaining away the myths behind Rastafarianism as viewed by outsiders, resulting in a clearer understanding of this hybrid culture.

Im Copyright Crimical, apparently ?

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:40:00 +0000

Yes, atleast according to Myspace content filter!

Story starts around 3 years ago. I was mc'ing for a local dnb crew Large Amount Of Soul aka L.A.O.S who scored a big hit in dnb circles called Panda Style.

Things went nicely and i voiced a some small parts to JayEm's beat which was almost instantly signed to danish Spin Recordings label. It came out as 10" on 2008 and tune is called Strong. Small 2 minute clip has been on my myspace player ever since.. That is, until 17th of November, 2009.

I logged in to myspace to actually upload some new promo clips for forth coming Intergalaktik releases that are coming out in week or two only to find out that i got a mail from MySpace help.. Whats that ? Oh, it said that i have material in my player that WMG has copyrights to. WTF?! Warner Music Group. So this huge company is now stating that they own a copyrights to a tune that I have voiced, JayEm produced and published by small independent dnb label. On the other hand, tune in question is registered to Teosto and NCB under mine and JayEm's names. Plus Spin hasnt informed anyone from L.A.O.S about re-licensing.

So, after going thru myspace "Copyright Camp" and filing a counter claim, i decided to call up local Warner office. After few calls, i was directed to their " Digital Key Account Manager" and after a brief chat with the guy, i got this reply (freely translated)

Yeah, i've heard that these things happen, you are not the first one how have reported similar issue. Give me your myspace url and I'll add you to the whitelist in MySpace. It will take about a day to get your account cleared.

Lets see how things will progress from this point. Reading stuff like this: http://torrentfreak.com/copyright-drama-prevents-artist-from-sharing-music-on-myspace-091007/ doesnt really raise my hopes up. But lets see how things turn out. I'll keep all my two readers posted.

In meanwhile, check out the new releases from Intergalaktik Label on .. tadaa! Myspace! http://www.myspace.com/intergalaktiksound

Gay Issue #2

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 22:49:00 +0000

(New York, NY - 3, September 2009) Gargamel Music is pleased to confirm that four-time Grammy nominated Reggae artist and icon, Buju Banton will kick off his hotly anticipated Rasta Got Soul US Tour on September 12th in Philadelphia.

We are disappointed by the hasty cancellation of a few shows by Live Nation/House of Blues and Goldenvoice/AEG, but fans will be happy to know we have over 30 confirmed shows that are definitely playing and we are working to replace the canceled dates. Now our team is primarily concerned with setting the record straight on the grossly inaccurate portrait of Buju being painted by certain organizations and systematically relayed to the masses and the media.

Buju Banton was all of 15-years-old when he wrote "Boom Bye Bye" in response to a widely publicized man/boy rape case in Jamaica. It was not a call to violence. The song was re-released on a popular dancehall rhythm in 1992 and caused a huge uproar after receiving commercial radio play in the States. Following much public debate back then, prominent gay rights leaders - and Buju - decidedly moved on. For the record, it is the only song he ever made on the subject - and he does not perform it today.

Those who have followed Buju Banton's musical journey and have actually listened to his extensive catalog, know of his development into a world-class singer, songwriter and performer who can quietly sell out such prestigious venues as the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York and Brixton Academy in London. He does not advocate violence. There has never been a shred of violence at any of his live shows. In fact, he commonly preaches against violence - against all people.

Buju's consistently positive messages of peace, love and enlightenment have never been lost in the music. His 1995 Grammy-nominated album 'Til Shiloh marked a spiritual and musical transformation that yielded the classic narratives "Untold Stories," "Wanna Be Loved" and "Murderer," which personified the horrific increase in gun crimes in Kingston's inner city. His Grammy-nominated Inna Heights (1997) garnered him numerous comparisons to the late, great Bob Marley.

Long before Hollywood raised its collective consciousness about Darfur, there was Buju Banton wailing about the genocide happening in "Sudan" on 1999's Unchained Spirit. His Friends For Life (2003) and Too Bad (2006) projects were both acknowledged with Grammy nods for Best Reggae Album. Buju's latest Roots Reggae opus, Rasta Got Soul (2009), has already been welcomed with critical acclaim in the US, Europe and Japan.

The artist's love for humanity is not just demonstrated in words but also in deeds. Twelve years ago he responded to the AIDS crisis in Jamaica by launching Operation Willy, an organization focused on raising monies for HIV positive babies and children who lost their parents to the disease. For three years he served as a celebrity spokesperson for Upliftment Jamaica, a US-based non-profit committed to working with underprivileged youth back home.

Yet none of these personal and professional accomplishments matter much to a gay lobby hell bent on destroying the livelihood of a man who has spent an entire career making amends -- his way. Sadly, their 17 year fixation on waging war against one artist has prevented them from turning this initiative into a larger, more fruitful discussion that could perhaps effect real change.

If you search for "We Support Buju Banton" in facebook, you will find two groups. Check out "the other" and read up what sort of comments people leave to the wall.

Just Sickening.

Generation M Manifesto

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:42:00 +0000

This is not my entry but its interesting never the less. Its similarry thought provoking as posts i've been republishing from TED

Dear Old People Who Run the World,

My generation would like to break up with you.
Everyday, I see a widening gap in how you and we understand the world — and what we want from it. I think we have irreconcilable differences.

You wanted big, fat, lazy "business." We want small, responsive, micro-scale commerce.

You turned politics into a dirty word. We want authentic, deep democracy — everywhere.

You wanted financial fundamentalism. We want an economics that makes sense for people — not just banks.

You wanted shareholder value — built by tough-guy CEOs. We want real value, built by people with character, dignity, and courage.

You wanted an invisible hand — it became a digital hand. Today's markets are those where the majority of trades are done literally robotically. We want a visible handshake: to trust and to be trusted.

You wanted growth — faster. We want to slow down — so we can become better.

You didn't care which communities were capsized, or which lives were sunk. We want a rising tide that lifts all boats.

You wanted to biggie size life: McMansions, Hummers, and McFood. We want to humanize life.

You wanted exurbs, sprawl, and gated anti-communities. We want a society built on authentic community.

You wanted more money, credit and leverage — to consume ravenously. We want to be great at doing stuff that matters.

You sacrificed the meaningful for the material: you sold out the very things that made us great for trivial gewgaws, trinkets, and gadgets. We're not for sale: we're learning to once again do what is meaningful.
There's a tectonic shift rocking the social, political, and economic landscape. The last two points above are what express it most concisely. I hate labels, but I'm going to employ a flawed, imperfect one: Generation "M."
What do the "M"s in Generation M stand for? The first is for a movement. It's a little bit about age — but mostly about a growing number of people who are acting very differently. They are doing meaningful stuff that matters the most. Those are the second, third, and fourth "M"s.
Gen M is about passion, responsibility, authenticity, and challenging yesterday's way of everything. Everywhere I look, I see an explosion of Gen M businesses, NGOs, open-source communities, local initiatives, government. Who's Gen M? Obama, kind of. Larry and Sergey. The Threadless, Etsy, and Flickr guys. Ev, Biz and the Twitter crew. Tehran 2.0. The folks at Kiva, Talking Points Memo, and FindtheFarmer. Shigeru Miyamoto, Steve Jobs, Muhammad Yunus, and Jeff Sachs are like the grandpas of Gen M. There are tons where these innovators came from.
Gen M isn't just kind of awesome — it's vitally necessary. If you think the "M"s sound idealistic, think again.
The great crisis isn't going away, changing, or "morphing." It's the same old crisis — and it's growing.
You've failed to recognize it for what it really is. It is, as I've repeatedly pointed out, in our institutions: the rules by which our economy is organized.
But they're your institutions, not ours. You made them — and they're broken. Here's what I mean:
"... For example, the auto industry has cut back production so far that inventories have begun to shrink — even in the face of historically weak demand for motor vehicles. As the economy stabilizes, just slowing the pace of this inventory shrinkage will boost gross domestic product, or GDP, which is the nation's total output of goods and services."
Clearing the backlog of SUVs built on 30-year-old technology is going to pump up GDP? So what? There couldn't be a clearer example of why GDP is a totally flawed concept, an obsolete institution. We don't need more land yachts clogging our roads: we need a 21st Century auto industry.
I was (kind of) kidding about seceding before. Here's what it looks like to me: every generation has a challenge, and this, I think, is ours: to foot the bill for yesterday's profligacy — and to create, instead, an authentically, sustainably shared prosperity.
Anyone — young or old — can answer it. Generation M is more about what you do and who you are than when you were born. So the question is this: do you still belong to the 20th century - or the 21st?
Love,

Umair and the Edge Economy Community

PS. I've re-formatted the original text a bit to make it easier to read on my blog, not other changes were made. Original article here: http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/haque/2009/07/today_in_capitalism_20_1.html

Rest In Peace Wycliffe "Steely" Johnson

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:41:00 +0000

Rest in Peace Steely!

Steely of music production duo is dead
Tuesday, 01 September 2009

Wycliffe Johnson, popularly known as Steely of the dancehall reggae production duo, Steely and Clevie, has died. RJR News is receiving information that Steely died on Tuesday morning in a New York Hospital from complications following a heart attack.

Our news centre understands that Steely was recuperating from Tuberculosis and kidney related problems.

Steely and Clevie have worked with artistes such as The Specials, Gregory Peck, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Sean Paul and No Doubt.

Steely debuted as a keyboardist with Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion collective in the 1970s.

Steely and Clevie first played together at Lee "Scratch" Perry's Black Ark Studios during the late 1970s.

In 1986, the duo was the house band at King Jammy's Studio, which became the centre point of late-1980s reggae, by which time Steely & Clevie were established production leaders with an immense slew of 12-inch and dub singles.

The duo formed the Steely & Clevie label in 1987.

Notting Hill 2009 @ YouTube (UPDATED #2)

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:27:00 +0000

Carnival over! And as usual, everyone of us who stayed at home are feeling that we missed it all ;)

To relief the pain i'm scrouring thru youtube to find footage of what did happen. Here's a what i've found so
far:

Channel One

Jah Observer

Aba Shanti I

Gladdy Wax

Ras Alcohol in da houz!

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:23:00 +0000

Ras Alcohol!

Lately i've seen few idren to refer to 'ras alcohol' when they talk about people or rasses who drink - in degregating way. And well, i have no shame to admit that i like to drink beer and occasionally something stronger too. So this topic had me thinking of how I see the mighty alcohol.

First, i know what alcohol does to people and it aint pretty. Of which, im sure, most of you know it too. My mother is drunkard, so was my uncle. I used to drink quite heavily when i was yute. But at some point i stopped consumption of all alcohol based products, including vinegar and fermented products. That phase lasted around 6 or 7 years during which i didnt even willingly socialize with anyone who was drunk. It was abomination to the I. But them something changed...

One of the reasons why i quit was the feeling that i was not in control of myself when intoxicated. If someone was suggesting something stupid, i was the first one to jump into a well. I had no control of what i said and well, i did not like myself when i was drunken. But things change and now i know my limits and i know how to behave. And i've come to realize alot about alcohol, and people too.

I see that people are not really aware of themselves, drunken or sober. Ordinary people are just passengers in vehicle called there lifes. Even "good people" are like that. Autopilot is in full control and when you pour wrong kind of gasoline to the engine, accidents are bound to happen.

For the I, rastafari trod is about self improvement thru guidance of the most high God. Jah Rastafari! Part of Self improvement is evaluation of the I. Consciousness of I's actions. Realizing this, i have now a newly found fate that i can 'hold my liquer'. Im not passenger anymore. But i also need to point out that this self improvement isnt because i need to drink or to justify my habbit.

But then, weed is also a mind altering substance. It can mess up your life as much as beer too. In this perspective, my personal belief is that no substance is evil by its own definition. Only rationale - to justify not to drink - in this topic is bingi tradition and what the I holds as a moral truth. And when you extend your own decizions to others, its a question of how you treat your bredrins.

What we really need is to actually learn to respect other people before burning the fire. Their decisions are their's, our's ours.

Jah Nuh Dead

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:19:00 +0000

I got a riddim cd last week from I bredrins called Temppeli up from Jyväskylä, Finland. I've been listening to the tunes for every day now and one thing's for sure. Matti Kauhu, Heikki Acid Root & Ras Shemi will do some serious uplifting in roots scene when they start to publish their music. Its just that excellent.

So I've been writing some lyrics to the tunes and noticed i got some heavy vibes from Burning Spear. Here's something to share so far:

Jah Nuh DeadJah Nuh Dead
Jah Nuh Dead
Jah Nuh Dead
Jah Jah Live On
In The Hearts
In The Hearts and Minds of Man
Who Walk the Righterous Road
With the Bible in His Hand
Jah Nuh Dead
Jah Nuh Dead
Jah Nuh Dead
Jah Nuh Dead
Jah Jah Live On
In the Thoughts
In the Works and Thoughts of Sistren
Who Hail the King of Creation
Again and again and again

And last thing, i've seen few websites with certain text in the past too but this morning i got a link to a site i havent visited before. If you havent had the opportunity to read the early writings of rastafari movement, you can do it right now by clicking on title below the book covers:

The Wisdom Of Rastafari - "by Rastafarian Group"

The Holy Piby - Robert Athlyi Rogers

The Royal Parchment Scroll Of Black Supremacy

Fitz Balintine Pettersburgh

The Promised Key - G.G. Maragh

Isä meidän ja ne muut.

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:51:00 +0000

Quick apology about the language first. Matter revolves around translations and Finnish so thats what im going for too.

Lainaus Isä meidän - rukouksesta

anna meille meidän syntimme anteeksi,

niin kuin mekin anteeksi annamme niille,

jotka ovat meitä vastaan rikkoneet.

Ja perään tiukka kysymys:

Jos me annamme anteeksi meitä kohtaan rikkoneille, miksi me anomme anteeksi antoa Jumalalta synneistämme? "Me" sanalla tarkoitan tässä kollektiivista Suomen jumalaa pelkäävää ev.lut. tapakristitty.

Eikö rikkeemme toisia kohtaan ole syntiä ? Entä "ne muut" ja "heidän rikkeet".

Gay issue

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:18:00 +0000

After the work today, i picked up a new issue of City magazine that had an article about Akuliina Saarikoski. She's titled as "Finland's most famour activist". And attention whore (pun intended) as i am, i wanted to write a small piece about the things i started to think.

Well, for starters, it goes without saying that "majority" of people consider Rastafari as homophobic. Names like Peter Tatchell made that a "world wide news" when he started his compain against "murder music" and went after the likes of Buju Banton, Sizzla & Capleton. So, i must be a phobic too right? Outright false accusation if you ask me. My personal take on the matter is that i don't absolutely any interest of what is happening within your and your family, bedroom, officeplace or where ever. Its your business and mine's mine. So what's the deal then ? Back to Akuliina's interview with few chosen quotes (bolds are questions presented and 'scuse if i didnt succeed in translation)

Why having an hetero culture offends you ?
Hetero culture's idea is to assimilate all abnormalities into itself. At this time, only accepted way of living is to model the hetero family model: 2 adults, row house, dog, kid or two.

To what extend, government can affect people's sexuality?
.... (Love) Partnerships should be agreement between people, not between people and government. Problems start only when other partner is significantly in lower position than the other. For example, this happen other partner is very young and almost always between a man and a woman.

If i would draw a conclusion of what is being said here, she's opposing a partnership between man and woman because the hetero culture is trying to assimilating all that is different and make it acceptable in the eyes of other heteros. So, what is the alternative ? Have gays to be what they want to be. I fully support this sort of thing, its basicly a struggle for a freedom. But then, Akuliina goes on defining that partnership between man and woman is "allmost always a cause of problems" and that is her attack vector to demolish hetero culture. She talk's about converting people to gay culture.

And thats where i personally draw the line. Maybe its the vibe laid down by the interviewer but i get the feeling from the interview that Akuliina's (and possible other gay activists) view is that all hetero sexuals are stereotypicly a single minded entity that does not accept alternative way of living and love and thus she feels that she has a right to use same tactics as hetero culture. Assimilate and integrate. And this is the exact reason why "i have problem with gays". But bare with me, i openly admit that what i just wrote, is a stereotypic view of a hetero sexual man. My wife might think otherwise but atleast i do think that our communion is working one, problems we have are between a Partner and a Partner, not between a man and a woman. What we do, what we look like, who we decide to support and who we dispice are based on the actions and words of said person. His or her sexuality excluded. Maybe it's a privilege of being so well integrated into heterosexual culture?

Same time, different media. One blogger wrote about city of Helsinki's instructions on how to prevent racism. He quotes part of these instructions about how to identify a racism.

Racism in all its forms is prohibited in all city functions. Racism is a ideology that divides people on basis of their race and/or culture unto different groups.

Its questinable if this definition of racism valid if culture is taken into consideration on this subject. Think about, if you define a culture, its already a "division of people". Maybe you have opion about that, do share *wink* *wink*. But the reason why i wanted to drag that matter into "Gay Issue" is quite obvious, atleast to me ;) So, lets iterate it once more:

Racism divides people into groups on basic of their race or culture.

What it is then, when gay activist declares that hetero that Women and Men together are a problem to start with and such behaviour should be destroyed thru acts of terror (on Akuliina's behalf, she makes it clear that such stamement was just populist, not a real treat against hetero couples). Maybe she's right but the angle Saarikoski is using is as revolting to me as any downpressor racist, fundamentalist or terrorist. What she's quilty of in my eyes: grouping of people with non-heterosexual values into something that is a better human being compared to those of us that are heteros. In my eyes, she's as guilty as any homophobic of the same segregation of people into different groups.

This Is Way I Hate Gays.

Dennis Brown, Crown Prince Of Reggae, In Memoriam

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:37:00 +0000

Ten years ago, on 1st of July, 1999, Dennis Emmanual Brown lost his life and world lost one of the most successfull and prolific reggae icons. Without the likes of him and Bob Marley, i doupt the the penetration of reggae music wouldn't be what it is today. Where Bob's lyrics where slightly more easier for the western people, Dennis walked his own path delivering lovers tunes and rootical vibes praising the allmighty Jah Rastafari (personal opinion, feel free to disagree).

These days, we see lots of fussing and fighting, even amongst the rastafari and new barriers and walls are being build everyday. In that contrast, a meditation from DEB is in order:

No man is an island
No man stands alone
Treat each man as your brother
Remember each man’s dream as your own

Even thou i'm a day late, i setup a collaborative playlist on Spotify to share his works. If you have spotify account, feel free to drop by and listen the tracks and if you have anything to add into the list, please do so.

Bro Joseph, your legacy shall live on! Rastafari.

More about war in middle east.

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:51:00 +0000

I was googling for some Richard Feynman quotes this morning and ended up in a website DaylightAtheism. There was a writing by the author of a site that was quoting few Rabbi's about how could peace be archived in Gaza strip. One of the quotes, from Manis Friedman of the Chabad-Lubavitch moveme, was quite disturbing:

I don't believe in western morality, i.e. don't kill civilians or children, don't destroy holy sites, don't fight during holiday seasons, don't bomb cemeteries, don't shoot until they shoot first because it is immoral.

The only way to fight a moral war is the Jewish way: Destroy their holy sites. Kill men, women and children (and cattle).

The first Israeli prime minister who declares that he will follow the Old Testament will finally bring peace to the Middle East.

Original article here: http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/06/why-there-is-war-in-the-mideast.html

And if you are wondering what was the quote of Feynman i was looking for:

"Know how to solve every problem that has been solved."

That quote made me feel warm inside =)

Sending love to the TTOI California!

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:17:00 +0000

Greetings in that divine name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ , who has been revealed to us, in that wonderful personality of his Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie the 1st.

Greetings through the Twelve Tribes of Israel , which was once lost and scattered abroad, and has now been founded in the Island of Jamaica by our beloved Prophet brother Gad, and functioning world wide.

I also greet you in that orthodox faith, which is not a function of writs and writes, but a mystical co-operating function of one's heart, in plain words, to be born again.

Much love and raspects to the cali ttoi house!

Sometimes I feel ashamed to call myself Rasta.

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Here's a quote, translated from finnish to english to catch a wider audience. In some essence, reading something like this makes me feel ashamed to be associated with any other dreadlock.

Here in the western world there are alot of feminists, some even with dreadlocks. Some of them are women that have been left (by their men) many times because they treat their men like doormats. New boom is that these women are driving a sort of "womans liberation in rastafari". In reality empresses live peacefully in trinity, with their families and are quite satisfied and do not understand where order has vanished when they try to drive things without consorting and support from their kingman.

Review: Anthony B - Rise Up

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:31:00 +0000

In the portable.

The thing is, i havent really been a big fan of any recent jamaican production be it dancehall or roots. Later even more so. Anthony B - Rise Up is exception! This album has been in my celly for couple of weeks now and i still find myself cueing it to my playlist. And belive me, that happens very rarely with any artist or genre. Riddims sound abit thin here and there but as said, playing mostly on a celly. Im sure tunes sound better on a soundsystem. Nothing new in Anthonys flow and the lyrics are at times a bit overused. And ofcourse there is bunch of familiar riddims but im so bad remembering any names. Back to basics right?

So whats so good about it then?

Its really good album as a whole and each tune stands in its own. I dont follow new music so much but i think this is kinda rare these days. Ofcourse its up to each and everyones personal taste but for me, Rise up is breath of fresh air! Lots of feats on the tunes and they are not the obvious choices either. Horace Andys hook on the Enter The Kingdom Of Zion raises the atmosphere quite nicely and later, Lukie D touches my musical nerve in the right way. Good tunes from from a let go. And like a cherry on a top, lovers cut of a lost love and beyond called Weeping Willow.

For those of you with a spotify account, you can listen the album here

Free flow meditations #2

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:50:00 +0000

Ises Itinually!

Odd 15 adults and lots of kids gathered today in the Kaisaniemi park to talk about how to get together in Ifficial level. And like i was kinda predicting in my blog entry last night, one of the biggest questions was about bowing down to babylon if we people would form a religious community. Word religion is definetly intimidating to people and maybe rightfully so too.

Allthou there are quite a bit of legal rulings on how a group of people can actually form a religious community and what sort of pressure would that cause to individuals with their own sprititually, i think the biggest question we are facing is that do we have the qualities that it takes to work together for common goals? Or even if the goals are not common, do we want to help out each other thru our personal works. It takes humbleness, comprimising and respect to make anything like what we are visioning for everybody that wants to get involved.

Obviously, its no-ones intention to "form a religion" here. And everyone who shared their thoughts in the gathering today, made it very clear that its not a new mansion we are trying to build, or even join any existing ones. But its We, as Rastafari people need to come together and try to make our works for the benefit of us, here and now and future generations. Do we have that courage, humbleness, will to compromise and motivation to work for betterment of our own society with our own rules? If the answer is yes i have another question for you.

We will lay down our own roots and no matter what others call it, its still your roots, your dirt, your nutriants and your trunk that matters to you, so why would it be a bother if someone points a finger at you can says "religion" when you know for Iself that its the works I's do that matters. Having a legal status only enables as to do the works better.

But then, its still about the dogma that heavily dictates our actions. I can see that with every bredrin of mine, even if they might disagree with that. I can see that in my own actions too so im not blaming anyone. But i want to reach each one of you and again, ask a question. Are we so narrow minded that we can't find ways to work together - personal vibes left aside ?

But atleast one concrete thing was settled today. On His Majesty's Earthstrong, 23rd of July, nyahbingi. So come one, come all and let as rally round, cetralize and organize! We really can make things happen if we take things into our own hands.

*edit*

Ps. I wanted to wish good Journey to I sis Empress Earthbaby! I know you are sitting in the plane already halfway across the planet to the hills, we will see when you head back home! Blessings!

Free flow meditations ..

noreply@blogger.com (jani mikkonen) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 22:43:00 +0000

Lets first start with some techno babble. I've installed this new software called Spotify already like 3 months ago or so. Played with it but at the time i didnt find to be so usefull to already existing stuff. Then last night, i was hanging out late with our neighbours and one guy was playing music from spotify. Dunno, has it changes abit or something but it had quite a different feeling to it. And to this night in time and space.. I've been listening to quite a lot of very nice uk production. What a really nice supprise!

Few weeks ago a bredrin of the mine send invitations to gather around in Helsinki and try to get something ifficial thing going on. From what i've heard, quite a lot of families are going to attend. Lets see what will be the outcome of the rally.

One topic that people are going to talk about for sure is that should the families try to organize somesort of society and gain a sort of legal status as a religion. Basicly meaning that if there's certain amount of kids in single district, they would get "rastafari" as choice of religion for "religion class".. 1 roots hour in week. This sort of a thing is bound to raise some discussions.

There's the obvious question is ofcourse and in boiled down form: is rasta a religion. But its obvious so lets think of a another angle. And its just a hypothesis.

Am I afraid of so called "rooting down" if i wouldnt want to be part of that sort of a movement ?

Gosh, dub in the background is making my head dizzy - vibronics, forward ever. And it seems to have disoriented my direction of thought. But as i really want people to share the feelings back - here, in private mails, hint! - heres a question for you. No matter what you think, put it outside the box and let me know what "rooting down" means for you..

Anyway, one thing is for sure, nothing bad can come of what is happing tomorrow. Raspect for all the princes, princesses, queens and kings who attend tomorrow, in spirit or present.

Blog ends with Ranking Joe's Zion High streaming from spotify. And special bigups for Vilhelm from Tulitauko Sound for first establishment called emBASSY and bringing Ranking Joe. 2 heavy nights still coming, one with finnish dubstep crew Clouds and their live set + Mungos Hifi and later in the summer Kenny Knotts + Helsinki roots embassy =)

Ranking Joe in Helsinki (shot by Riinah):