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Thursday, May 14, 2009
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BLOG INDEX (MySpace)
blog 1: "Forward Ever Backward Never" [Lyrics, Song]
blog 2: Purpose*
blog 3: Why "Noble Sage"?*
blog 4: Origin of LIKO HINU
blog 5: What...$100?
blog 6: Top Books List*
blog 7: Favorite Music
blog 8: LIKO HINU Excercise Routine [Video]*
blog 9: Aloha e Kahiki...*
blog 10: EKOS ORBS...Story & Tree/Plant Inventory [Video] **
blog 11: GRENADA...Revolution & Reggae? [Lyrics, Song]
blog 12: MARILA Onstage in Papua New Guinea [Video]
blog 13: "All I Need" is your Love [Lyrics, Song]*
blog 14: Fruit of the Season Crumble..."Take a Trip" [Lyrics, Song]
blog 15: ANGKOR WAT Photos Release [Video]*
blog 16: Mo'olelo li'i li'i no na Ekolu mau Wahine Hula
blog 17: Spirituality, Kuleana & "Sometimes" [Lyrics, Song, Video]*
blog 18: World Food Day & "50.000 Children Died" [Lyrics, Song, Video]*
blog 19: I LOVE the Hawaiian Language!
blog 20: Surfing Safari, 'Ohana & Hapuna Sunset [Videos]
blog 21: "Give All The Children A Chance" [Lyrics, Video]*
blog 22: Na Wahine o Hawai'i...no ka 'oi
blog 23: WAR & "Tell Me The Truth" [Lyrics, Song]*
blog 24: Why is MEXICO so important?
blog 25: CHANGE & "Sargeant's Curve"
blog 26: [pandoras box]
blog 27: PANYANA... Story & Tree/Plant Inventory [Video] **
blog 28: Marilyn Monroe
blog 29: ALOHA VALENTINA!..."It's Only Love" [Lyrics, Song]
blog 30: Ho'oponopono..."Making Things Right"
blog 31: Re-Creation & "Our Beach" [Videos]*
blog 32: PAPUA NEW GUINEA [PNG] Part 1: The Saga Begins*
blog 33: PNG Part 2: Nationa Nutrition Survey [Video]
blog 34: PNG Part 3: "Bride Price" & "Palengawe Village" [Videos]
blog 35: PNG Part 4: Foodstuffs..."Mumu Preparation" & "Sago-Making" [Videos]
blog 36: PNG Part 5: "Baimuru Swamps" [Video]
blog 37: PNG Part 6: "World Food Day" (Port Moresby) & "South Pacific Arts Festival" [Videos]
blog 38: "Lukim Yu" PNG..."G'day" AUSTRALIA..."Bula" FIJI..."Hi" CANADA..."Aloha" HAWAI'I
blog 39: LAOS...Timeless Buddhism and...MARRIED!
blog 40: We Became Parents & "Calling On The People" [Lyrics, Song]*
blog 41: CAMBODIA...Phnom Penh & "Cambodia Cries" [Lyrics, Song, Video]
blog 42: CAMBODIA...The Countryside & "Living With The Borderline" [Lyrics, Song, Video]
blog 43: Impromptu 2nd Proposal & A Hui Hou...[Video]
blog 44: The "ENLIGHTENED PERSON"*
blog 45: MOTHER'S DAY! & "Old Before Her Time" [Lyrics, Song]
blog 46: "SUPER-MODEL NUTRITION" **
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VIDEO INDEX [www.youtube.com/harrisonkripps]
TEMPERATE HOMESTEAD ["EKOS ORBS"...British Columbia]
- "EKOS ORBS 2000"...A Tour [blog 10]
- Clouds Before the Storm...August 2009
- Morning Sparkles...August 2009
- Blossoms...April 2001
- "We Grew These Nectarine Trees By Ourself!!!", 1989
TROPICAL HOMESTEAD ["PANYANA"...Hawai'i]
- Sunny Day Views of "PANYANA" [blog 27]
- A Walk Thru "PANYANA" on a Stormy Day...Ka'u Hawai'i
- Rain on Banana Garden
- Admiring Hirose Bamboo Culms [profile]
- Lying Under Coconut Palms Watching Clouds
- Queen Palm and Bamboo in the Breeze [profile]
Our Special HAWAIIAN BEACHES
- "Our Beach" [blog 31]
- Kahakai Kealia [profile]
- Wahine o Kealia [blog 31]
- Ma 'oki 'oki...Streaked Water [blog 31]
- Puhi Kai A'a (Lava Seashore Blowhole)
- Pohaku Nalu Nalu (Meditation Rock)
- Pulelehua Melemele...Yellow Butterflies...What are they doing? [profile]
- Hapuna Sunset (Kahakai 'Ohai 'Ula) [blog 20, profile]
- Finding Designs in Seashore Lava Boulders
- Bodyboarding at "Our Beach"
- Driving to "Our Beach" [blog 31]
- Surfing Safari 2000 [blog 20]
- Morning Ocean Ritual [blog 31]
- The 2nd Proposal [blog 43]
- Trip to "Our Town" on Market Day...Onward to Beach Park
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
- National Nutrition Survey 1982 [blog 33]
- World Food Day 1982 [blog 37]
- Kerema Kids Build a Raft [profile]
- Mumu Preparation [Kerema] [blog 35]
- Traditional Sago Palm Food Preparation [Kerema] [blog 35]
- Journey Through the Kikori Swamp [blog 36]
- Marila Plays PNG [blog 12]
- Bride Price Ceremony [Kerema] [blog 34]
- Palengawe Village [Kaintiba] [blog 34]
- South Pacific Festival of the Arts 1982 [blog 37]
CAMBODIA
- Angkor Wat (Part 1) [blog 15]
- Angkor Wat (Part 2) [blog 15]
- Cambodia [Kampuchea]: Life in Phnom Penh 1986 [blog 41]
- Cambodia [Kampuchea]: Field Trips to the Countryside 1987 [blog 42]
MUSIC
- "Sometimes" [World Food Day Concert 1990] [blog 17, profile]
- "50,000 Children Died" [World Food Day Concert 1990] [blog 18]
- "Give All The Children A Chance", 2008...Impromptu rendition [blog 21]
- "Set Me Free", 1986
- "Pupu O Ni'ihau", 2009...Impromptu rendition
FITNESS
- "LIKO HINU" Ultimate Fitness & Excercise Routine [2005] : Part 1, Part 2 [blog 8]
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RECORDED MUSIC: ORIGINAL [Digital Conversions]: www.soundclick.com/harrisonkripps
FREE At LAST [11 song album 1990]: Young Love...Living With The Borderline...Free At Last...Tiannamen...I Wanna Dance...50,000 Children Died...Close To You...Beware (The Loss Of Your Freedom)...Cambodia Cries...Thin Disguise...All I Need
ANTHEM [9 song album 1991]: Things (That Might Have Been)...Dangerous...Forward Ever Backward Never...Tell Me The Truth...Old Before Her Time...I'm In Love With You...With Someone Like You...Alone In The Night...Sometimes
DEMO [6 song album 1986]: Take A Trip...Set Me Free...Only Love...Calling On The People...Keep Walkin'...Bend
MISCELLANEOUS: Going Home [Fantastic Floon 1970, RK bass]
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RECORDED MUSIC: HAWAIIAN [contemporary/traditional]: www.soundclick.com/likolili
LikoLili [10 song album 2006]: Pupu O Ni'ihau...Lahaina Luna...Pua Mae 'Ole...Lanai...Moloka'i...Nou E Keali'i...Mikinolia...Po La'i La'i...He'e 'Ia...Hilo Hana Kahi
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Play Song: "EXCEPTIONALLY COOL"...this was the final song performed at the last major HARRISON KRIPPS live concert April 1992, before metamorphosis into LikoLili...
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Thursday, May 14, 2009
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So...What do YOU eat???
How many thousands of times we have been asked this question over the years is obviously unknown...but I can assure you...a lot. Since everyone, everywhere, has concerns or interests revolving around food, and requires it for survival, we understandably get asked this question in hopes that perhaps, we have some special insight into "optimum nutrition".
After all, we have been professional Nutritionists with global experiences ranging from the wretchedly poor and starving to the affluent and obese...and...musicians, artists, entertainers, Models through our involvement in the music industry...and...politicians, businesspersons, and every kind of service worker through involvements in product development-design and the construction of two self-reliance based homesteads.
Maybe there is no "special insight" as such...but there is indeed an "I Kuan"...what in Chinese means "the common thread that interlinks the tapestry design". Having declined opportunities to write books on the subject, we present here, instead, an extremely abbreviated answer to "the question"... in the form of a response which outlines "How WE Eat". YOU can decide if something along these lines is appropriate for you...though it almost certainly will be beneficial...if you are not already moving in this direction.
This simple outline is called "SUPER-MODEL NUTRITION" for two reasons...
[1] what WE eat can be seen as a refined (therefore "super") version of a representative nutritional framework (therefore "model") for health and well being and,
[2] it is apparent that professional "Models" and "Super-Models" have exceedingly stringent nutritional requirements given their professional/esthetic demands...and we eat how Super-Models should aspire to eat...high micronutrient and fiber intake, balanced energy intake and output...for metabolically healthy body, attractively slim physique, physical stamina, and bright mind.
This is presented from a "developed" world perspective exclusively. See [blog 18] for some commentary concerning child malnutrition in "Developing" countries.
FIVE BASIC PRINCIPLES of "SUPER-MODEL NUTRITION":
FIRST...Consume a Plant-Based diet ["Vegetarian"]
For detailed background on why, refer to books devoted to the topic such as those in our "Top Books List" [blog 6 ...Campbell (health factors), Singer (ethical issues) ]. To summarize, the enormous benefits concern personal health in general, virtual elimination of overweight problems, reduced negative stress on public health systems, positive environmental-pollution impacts, reduced waste of useful foodstuffs otherwise channeled to animal fodder, ethical issues, improved global food inequity-malnutrition concerns, and reduced disease transmission to humans via animal vectors.
We personally, at this stage, continue to purchase and consume for various reasons... moderate amounts of skim milk powder, low-fat mozzarella cheese, home-made yogurt, cottage cheese, and occasionally, only these seafoods... prawns and sardines. We purchase rice and wheat flours, noodles, oats and other grains, seeds, lentils, seaplants (eg. Nori) and cocoa. Otherwise, nearly everything we eat is self-grown and plant based. Home-made bread including Afghani-style flat bread is a staple, as is banana-bread and "Fruit of the Season Crumble" [blog 14].
SECOND...Grow as much of your own fruit and vegetables as free of pesticides as possible.
Very few people are in the privileged position we are of growing all our own fruit and vegetables technorganically year round...we understand that. At least, however, balance cost, quality and convenience factors in what you must purchase... consume mostly fresh produce...minimize patronage of restaurants and "fast food" establishments. Eat lots and lots of fruit always...all the time...nuts also, but be wary of nuts' high energy content ["calories"]. Fruit and nuts are not just "snacks" but foundations of the human diet, as evidenced by studies in Evolutionary (including Prinate) Nutrition.
THIRD...Wherever feasible, eliminate and/or reduce processed foods.
Obviously, not all are "problematic" but it is in your best interest to minimize intake of processed foods and their attendant additives, preservatives, and nutrient-stripped ingredients...and concurrently decrease superfluous packaging material disposal. You do not require an admonition to avoid "Junk" like soda/soft drinks, candy, crap chocolate bars and (gross!) doughnuts (people actually eat those???)...but if you do ocassionally indulge, thats OK but go for quality. Try to lose the "dessert" mentality and favor interesting fresh fruit creations.
FOURTH...Seriously Regulate these items:
ALCOHOL in any form (especially very un-sexy beer), CAFFEINE-containing beverages including coffee and tea...water is the beverage of choice. COMMERCIALLY BOTTLED WATER is an unnecessary expense and environmental disaster which won't be elaborated upon here. "Developed" countries have satisfactory public water systems at marginal cost...fill your own reusable water bottles.
Minimize FATS & OILS in any form...there are ample essential fatty acids [omega -3s,-6s] in your varied nut intake. The association of SALT with hypertension, and refined SUGAR to overweight should be well-known to all by now.
FIFTH...Keep your food system and life as simple as possible without unduly sacrificing variety.
You will ultimately be required to get more out of less. With "Super-Model Nutrition" most people do not need endless nutritional or "life-extension" supplements,anti-oxidants, herbal remedies, hormones, or other exotic preparations, unless prescribed by a physician for a specific therapeutic purpose. We do recommend a low-level, broad-spectrum multi-vitamin/mineral supplement daily (more or less)...as an "insurance" precaution, especially for urban dwellers and particularly during winter, if that applies. And get enough intellectual stimulation, excercise. sleep, fresh air, sunshine, touch and sex.
The reward is improved health and well being, enhanced personal esthetics, and a positive contribution to the state of the world.
Here is an example of a typical day's food array...morning, mid-day, and evening meals. Snack throughout the day on fruit preferably when really hungry and drink adequate water. Use imagination to expand on the basic theme. Hopefully, this provides a basic answer to "the Question" and outlines for you the essentials of "SUPER-MODEL NUTRITION"...
MORNING: Bananas, guava, Mandarin Orange, Almonds
MID-DAY: Home-made Flatbread, Avocado, Tomatoes, Nori
EVENING: Baked Pumpkin, Baked Tofu, "Mixed Vegetable-Olive-MacNut-Nori-Sprouts&Seeds Salad"
Maluhia...~ Robert Kripps & Libby Harrison © HARRISON KRIPPS 2009
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Tuesday, May 05, 2009
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Everybody has one biological Mother...she knows how many children she has borne, even if the whereabouts may be unknown due to adoption or whatever. The mother-child relationship is special and fundamental to all animal, including human, life. It is the mother who not only bears the young, but primarily feeds and nurtures them through their earlist days...certainly for humans, "mothering" never really ends.
It is fitting to have the special observance of "Mother's Day" to honor the very great importance of all Mothers. As an "official" event, however, "Mother's Day" did not come into being until the May 9, 1914 proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson of the U.S.A. Actually, it was the result of a successful and prolonged lobbying campaign by the American Florist Association, which required a major event to absorb springtime flowers. This in no way detracts from the significance of "Mother's Day". Indeed, for us, it ranks with "Valentine's Day" as the only "Days" really worthy of celebration worldwide since they both concern the fundamentals of love...and are ideologically unencumbered.
But...there are hundreds of millions of Mothers throughout the world... particularly those who are poverty-stricken, disadvantaged in "less-developed" countries, or politically-socially-culturally oppressed...whose value and importance is overlooked, ignored, or dismissed. In 1991, we wrote the song "Old Before Her Time" to mark the United Nation's "International Woman's Day" [March 8]. For all the downtrodden women of the world, Mothers, and Mothers-to-be, we dedicate the song. For all the Mothers Of The World everywhere, some flowers from our gardens. We wish you a very Happy Mothers Day...Peace, Happiness and a Bright Mind... and trust your offspring will express to you the love you deserve...
OLD BEFORE HER TIME
You can see it in the eyes, and know they realize
There's no hope in their life
She's the backbone of the earth. unacknowledged worth
No reward for her strife
Destined life of tears, stolen childhood years
In a world that seldom hears
Shadow of the land forgotten
Beauty lost in the sand
Walking down the track, heavy load upon her back
Long before the day's searing sun
Weariness aside, hidden by her pride
Knowing that the work has just begun
Children at her feet, not enough to eat
Ends that never seem to meet
Few can understand the burden
All life rests in her hand
CHORUS
Old before her time, life without a prime
Old before her time...isn't it a crime
Old before her time...but made for giving
Play Song: "OLD BEFORE HER TIME"
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Friday, May 01, 2009
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The "I CHING" [易經...Book of Changes] is arguably the oldest known book, compiled at least 3,500 years ago in "The Middle Flowery Kingdom"...today's China. The various "states of being" common to a human, and their interactions, leads to 64 basic "life situations" commonly encountered. An "ENLIGHTENED PERSON" seeks to understand how these situations arise, and to develop approriately superior responses...thus furthering one's ambitions and, ideally, the improvement of the world around.
Underlying each circumstance, however, is "Correct Persistence". In other words, once the goal or objective is identified, do not deviate from the plan of action until success is achieved...but, always remain prepared with contingency sub-plans, which may be required to overcome inevitable obstacles..."Correct Persistence"...
Summarized are the 64 conditions in more contemporary English...organized according to the original "Emperor Wen" format... included are the traditional Chinese characters, and the horizontally arranged "hexagrams" [sequence of 6 solid/broken lines, eg...III::I], which codify each condition in a binary manner:
1. 創作力 CREATIVE POWER IIIIII Movement of the cosmos is in complete power..."Enlightened Person" works steadily to exert one's will.
2. 自然反應 NATURAL RESPONSE :::::: Powerful influence of Receptivity..."Enlightened Person" uses moral excellence to support the outside world.
3. 艱難的開端 DIFFICULT BEGINNINGS :I:::I Condition of profound Activity..."Enlightened Person" is concerned with principles-policies of organizations.
4. 經驗不足 INEXPERIENCE I:::I: Difficulty collects at the foot of the Tranquil..."Enlightened Person" cultivates character through decisive conduct.
5. 計算等待 CALCULATED WAITING :I:III Anxiety rises into light of day..."Enlightened Person" waits with confident attitude, bringing radiant progress.
6. 衝突 CONFLICT III:I: Strong and Difficlult go their opposite ways..."Enlightened Person" carefully plans the beginning.
7. 集體力量 COLLECTIVE FORCE ::::I: Profound in the midst of Receptive..."Enlightened Person" is generous to people and finds strength in numbers.
8. 團結 UNITY :I:::: Profound above the Receptive..."Enlightened Person" persues worldwide awareness and cultivates relationships with leaders.
9. 克制 RESTRAINED II:III Gradual moves about the Firm..."Enlightened Person" must at times, conceal even virtuous conduct.
10. 行為 CONDUCT III:II Firmness above, Excess below..."Enlightened Person" discriminates between Superior-Inferior, stabilizing opinion.
11. 繁榮 PROSPERING :::III Exchange between Creative and Receptive..."Enlightened Person" will organize and interpret events and thus help others
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12. 停滯 STAGNATION III::: Creative and Receptive do not intersect..."Enlightened Person" avoids Inferiority, tempers behavior...minimal misfortune.
13. 社會 COMMUNITY IIII:I Strong interacts with Dependent..."Enlightened Person" recognizes other person's place and value in the outside world.
14. 主權 SOVEREIGNTY I:IIII Intelligence is within the Strong..."Enlightened Person" represses evil influences by making obvious the good.
15.節制 MODERATION :::I:: Tranquil in the midst of Receptive..."Enlightened Person" reduces Excessive and increases Insufficient...Equality.
16. 協調 HARMONIZE ::I::: Excitement resounds out of Receptive..."Enlightened Person" composes music upholding ideals of an Ultimate Plan.
17. 適應 ADAPTING :II::I Growth in the midst of Excess..."Enlightened Person", when in darkness, leads the way within for comforting rest.
18. 修復 REPAIR I::II: Penetrating moves below the Perverse..."Enlightened Person" arouses others to action whilst cultivating one's own virtues.
19. 促進 PROMOTION ::::II Receptivity borders upon Fullness..."Enlightened Person" is inexhaustible in willingness to teach and supportive of others.
20. 考慮 CONTEMPLATING II:::: Penetrating moves over Receptive..."Enlightened Persons" explore the world, study people...influence culture.
21. 改革 REFORM I:I::I Aroused Consciousness..."Enlightened Persons" see a direction, formulate a plan, adjust for contingencies, evaluate progress.
22. 寬限期 GRACE I::I:I Illumination at the foot of Immobility..."Enlightened Person" is clear about systems of organization...but avoids arbitration.
23. 惡化 DETERIORATION I::::: Immobile is dependent on the Weak..."Enlightened Person" stabilizes situations by generosity to the less competent.
24. REPEATING :::::I New Activity in the womb of Receptivity..."Enlightened Persons", following evaluation, learn from errors...redouble efforts.
25. 無罪推定 INNOCENCE III::I Arousing rolls under Creative to align the Natural State..."Enlightened Persons" adapt to the times.
26. 勢能 POTENTIAL ENERGY I::III Creative Strength is within the Waiting..."Enlightened Person" is familiar with words of the wise, deeds of the past
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27. 養陰 NOURISHING I::::I Arousal stirs beneath the Immobile..."Enlightened Person" is cautious in expression, and regulates what is absorbed.
28. 臨界質量 CRITICAL MASS :IIII: The Hones is submerged in Excess..."Enlightened Person" can act independently, withdraw, not be discouraged.
29. 危險 DANGER :I::I: Difficult flows to its goal of learning from Danger..."Enlightened Person" is consistently virtuous and learns to be an educator.
30. 協同作用 SYNERGY I:II:I Intelligence shines twice..."Enlightened Person" perpetuates the cultivation of intelligence...illuminates others always.
31. 景點 ATTRACTION :III:: Pleasure is upon the Tranquil..."Enlightened Person" is accepting and open toward others
.
32. 繼續 CONTINUING ::III: Active Penetration..."Enlightned Person" only changes the plan if warranted by evaluation, not opinions of others.
33. 務虛 RETREAT IIII:: Stillness under Daylight..."Enlightened Person" retracts when necessary, ignores detractors, maintains composure.
34. 力量 POWER ::IIII Influential Activity in Daylight..."Enlightened Person" works within established conventions, ever persuing reform.
35. 進展 PROGRESS I:I::: Intelligence rises above Responsive..."Enlightened Person" reveals and creates the self through intelligent, beautiful virtues.
36. 檢查 CENSORSHIP :::I:I Intelligence is hidden within Darkness..."Enlightened Person" at times must conceal amongst the masses for protection.
37. 家庭 FAMILY II:I:I Penetrating comes from the Intelligent..."Enlightened Person" builds family with substance in words, endurance in behavior.
38. 盾 CONTRADICTION I:I:II Clarity is above and Excess below..."Enlightened Person", though an equal of all persons, maintains individuality.
39. 障礙 OBSTACLES :I:I:: Difficulty upon the Immobile..."Enlightened Person" looks within the self first and perfects behavior.
40. 解放 LIBERATION ::I:I: Profound Activity sets in providing Release..."Enlightened Person" pardons the faults of others, forgives their offenses.
41. 下降 DECLINE I:::II Excess is below Immobility..."Enlightened Person" simplifies, strives to regulate indignation, and moderates desire.
42. 受益 BENEFIT II:::I Penetrating Growth..."Enlightened Person", seeing benevolent action, imitats it...if mistakes, they are transformed.
43. 決議 RESOLUTION :IIIII Excess is being drawn into Daylight..."Enlightened Person" dispenses resources and avoids dwelling on one's virtues.
44. 誘惑 TEMPTATION IIIII: The Penetrating moves through the Creative..."Enlightened Person" makes the position clear and does not yield.
45. 裝配 ASSEMBLING :II::: Receptivity at the foundation of Openness..."Enlightened Person" removes defenses and guards against paranoia.
46. 提高 ADVANCEMENT :::II: Within Nourishing grows the Gradual..."Enlightened Person" creates small effects compounding to greatness.
47. 逆境 ADVERSITY :II:I: The time of Satisfaction is without Depth..."Enlightened Person" will take personal risks to achieve the objectives.
48. 來源 SOURCE :I:II: Profound Penetration..."Enlightened Person" studies fundamentals, and encourages others with advice and assistance.
49. 變化 CHANGING :III:I Consciousness within Excess..."Enlightened Person" harmonizes with past experiences, and grasps timely opportunities.
50. 宇宙秩序 COSMIC ORDER I:III: Penetrating Intelligence..."Enlightened Person" positions appropriately with how things actually are.
51. 令人震驚 SHOCKING ::I::I Repeated Arousing..."Enlightened Person", when disturbed, seeks to improve and adjust perspective.
52. 冥想 MEDITATION I::I:: Stillness upon Stillness..."Enlightened Person" focuses on the immediate situation, whilst envisioning future options.
53. 發展中國家 DEVELOPING II:I:: The Penetrationg is upon the Immobile..."Enlightened Person" uses wise conduct...thus elevates the social order.
54. 下屬 SUBORDINATE ::I:II Arousing is over the Open..."Enlightened Person" sees the current difficulty in light of the distant future.
55. 天頂 ZENITH ::II:I Expanded Intelligence..."Enlightened Person" knows the position, arbitrates in disputes, penalizes where necessary.
56. 旅遊 TRAVELING I:II:: The Illuminating is upon the Tranquil..."Enlightened Person" explores other perspectives, surmounts obstacles, and grows.
57. 影響 INFLUENCE II:II: Gently Penetrating following upon itself..."Enlightened Person" solidifies the situation to improve the state of affairs.
58. 令人鼓舞 ENCOURAGING :II:II Openness upon Openness..."Enlightened Person" joins with friends periodically for a brief exchange of ideas.
59. 團聚 REUNITING II::I: The Penetrating moves above the Profound..."Enlightened Person" will meet, for the sake of the ultimate plan.
60. 限制 LIMITATIONS :I::II The Difficult is held over Excess..."Enlightened Person" evolves systems of regulation-conduct to achieve objectives.
61. 洞察力 INSIGHT II::II The Penetrating is above the Open..."Enlightened Person" cultivates visionary perspective with practical outcome.
62. 自覺性 CONSCIENTIOUSNESS ::II:: The Active is above the Waiting..."Enlightened Person" conducts with supreme self-repect.
63. 結束後 AFTER THE END :I:I:I Difficulty is present in the conscious state..."Enlightened Person" prepares defense in advance.
64. 年底前 BEFORE THE END I:I:I: The Conscious is above the Dangerous..."Enlightened Person" is cautious of discriminations-position in the world.
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Monday, March 23, 2009
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Well...this is the time of Spring Equinox. The sun is directly over the equator, more or less...and we are getting ready for the migration back to Ekos Orbs in Canada, and the summer season. But we will return again to Hawai'i just after the Autumn Equinox in early October. This is a rather important year since it is the 25th Anniversary on May 26 of our Marriage in Sydney, Australia...but actually we met 28 years ago in Papua New Guinea and had an informal Hawaiian Ceremony 6 months before the "official" one.
We were doing a photo shoot at the beach, and I [~ R] decided to do an "Impromptu 2nd Proposal"...
Online access is usually sporadic during the migration and setup process...so...
Aloha...A Hui Hou...Maluhia...~ Robert & Libby
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Friday, March 20, 2009
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Our Field-Team included Nyak Chay Heng, Ang Saroun, Leng Sophal and Sombath Somphone...a Laotian consultant. It was a dynamic, enthusiastic group. We travelled nearly everywhere except the off-limits war zones where the Khmer Rouge were insurgent. Our objective, with substantial funding, was to rebuild the ravaged Cambodian countryside based on Family Food Production systems along the line of the "One Straw Revolution". It emphasized a fishpond with fruit trees and vegetables around the perimeter, tree & bamboo groves for fuel and building material, and semi-organic high yield rice paddies. As well, Primary Health Care services were developed with particular emphasis on immunization and clean water supples. It was great to see the people coming to life after so much tragedy.
What was particularly heartbreaking for me was the wanton destruction of once-magnificent temples and statuary. I was so pleased to see one undergoing reconstruction that I financed the artist to paint indoor Buddhist murals. I have previously alluded to the heaps of skulls, often stored in former animal pens, maimed bodies of children from land mines, amputee ex-soldiers.
But the people were exceedingly hospitable and lavished large mid-day feasts upon our team...whether in anticipation of a project, to admire progress, or celebrate completion. There was always plenty of 333 Vietnamese beer and Bayon, the local rice firewater. Even though I am not a "lunch person" as such, I was drawn into the repast and usually funded it out of the program budget...cash was much appreciated as there was barely a functioning economy.
Always, I was delighted and impressed by the strength and resilience of the petite sylph-like Cambodian women in their colorful silk sarongs and delicate blouses. They wore most of their family wealth as elegant gold jewelry, the chains encrusted with a characteristic pattern of jewels...emerald, ruby, white sapphire, topaz... from the mines near the Thai border.
And everywhere...there were refugees. Displacement was universal and in many instances there was really nothing to return to. It almost seemed during those times that the world was flooded with refugees...Kampuchea, Ethiopia, Vietnam War and the distant rumblings from the Soviet bloc. This is rural Cambodia in 1987...
By the time we had been in Cambodia for well over a year, the Unicef administration began making overtures to encourage me to either consider going to new York for senior level planning...or undertake shorter "firestorm" missions to places like Afghanistan. Both of these options, while challenging, meant being away from the family,,,as a career professional in the Big City...or as a solo troubleshooter where the family could not go. We decided to retire from international development, permanently it turned out...although we remain intellectually involved and try to apply the principles learned to our everyday affairs.
"The Boyz" had become "our lives" and they were getting to an age of beginning to "see" the world. It did not seem in their best long-term interest to form a worldview of poverty, misery, soldiers, barbed wire as "reality"...and the "developed" world which we would periodically visit, as a kind of Disneyland. That was the real world in which they would most likely live, eventually. So we returned to our homesteads with our Asian treasures, became full-time parents, migrant homesteaders, and songwriter-performers. No regrets.
A year later, sitting in the Hawaiian morning sun, near the Lavender Bauhinia trees planted over "The Boyz's" placentas...I reminisced a lot, and wrote many songs...the first of which was about those homeless refugees of the world, so many from Cambodia. In a way, for us, it also marks the interface between the international development life and the focused family-homestead-music life which ensued...
LIVING WITH THE BORDERLINE
He went alone, in the darkness gunships drone...Afghanistan
Family behind, hope is all we want to find... Vietnam
BRIDGE........
Under the gun, everyone died...where can I be
Taking a chance...to be free
Out on the run, nowhere to hide...following me
Die or survive...refugee
She and the child, crossed the minefield jungle wild...Cambodia
Famine and war, gaunt eyes staring at deaths door...Ethiopia
Bridge..... & CHORUS
Living with the borderline
Will I make it out on time
There's no turning back...I've made up my mind
East and west symbol of the world's oppressed...Berlin Wall
Help us please, don't abandon refugees...millions call
Play Song: "LIVING WITH THE BORDERLINE"
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Friday, March 20, 2009
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Phnom Penh, Cambodia [Democratic People's Republic of Kampuchea], was again a world unto itself. "There were only 84 registered Westerners in the country and an unknown number of Soviet bloc advisors. Vietnam was an occupying presence, having overthrown the genocidal Khmer Rouge...responsible for 1 - 2 million deaths...difficult to determine. Tuol Sleng museum documents the horror, but I personally was subjected to its physical remnants in piles of human skulls encountered as "shrines" throughout the "special access permit only" countryside...a privilege extended to me given the nature of the program. The smashed Buddhas with their heads removed, ravaged temples, blownout buildings, destroyed infrastructure, maimed bodies of survivors, soldiers and barbed wire all made life somewhat depressing. And there were the giant noisy toads and diesel generator at night.
Since I became an "Official" of the U.N. I was basically full-time either in the office, at meetings, or on field trips to the country. Memorable colleagues included Eva "let's make a list", Michelle who ran the office, Bjorn and Marcello...Special Representatives, Richard, Suzanne, Lahti & Lotta "of the stilleto heels", Monica from Burma, Hans, Isabella, Brigitte.
Cambodian co-workers were dynamic, unlike Laos, and there was a spirit of enthusiasm and renewal. Omnipresent was the pall of loved-ones lost to the Khmer Rouge past. Few families escaped intact and there was a definite lack of expertise or educated persons...those were the ones most selectively exterminated by the former regime, in the name of creating "the new agricultural man".
It was a bit trying for me after being a full time dad. Libby had her difficulties too, but her ever-cheerful demeanor carried all of us through. The difficulties were mitigated somewhat as the Unicef office was located in the Samaki Hotel, as was the bungalow in which we resided. So we were able to spend long afternoon lunches at the [often green with algae] "pool". I was required to have an official driver, Sarom, who was also my local "information source" ...at the end of the day, we would go to the markets and collect vases, furniture, antiques for our home. There was a Unicef "food shipment" weekly and we were required to leave Cambodia for a week of "Rest & Recuperation", usually to Thailand, every 3 months.
Libby can perhaps better describe the "Life in Phnom Penh" ... which would more accurately be "life in the Samaki compound" for the families of Unicef or other Aid Organizations... with occasional trips to the market and a few other places along the main road. Families were not permitted in most areas of the city let alone in the rural areas. However, having a toddler and a baby, kept me pretty busy and I didn't really mind the restrictions.
We were very fortunate to have Vathy, our designated child care helper. She absolutely adored our 2 boys and would do anything for them. The government insisted we have a helper and paid her $2 [500 Riels local currency] and a bag of rice per month. This was the standard earnings for government workers, although most foreigners gave "cadeaux" to supplement their income. We also had Pon who was assigned to clean the bungalows. Pon had a special connection with Taras, and if Taras was missing you could usually find him "helping" Pon..sweeping, or "organising" Pon's tools.
Even having Vathy to help, my days were kept very full, as keeping the boys safe and healthy required constant vigilance. The Samaki, formerly a luxury hotel, then a pig farm during the Khmer Rouge times, was in sad disrepair...live electricity wires sticking out of walls, an unfenced and usually green or even brown swimming pool, vicious fire ants, and various other hazards...let alone armed soldiers walking around. The weather was usually hot, or very hot, and torrentially wet during the monsoon season. We were provided with an air-conditioner, but given that it sounded like a freight train and electricity was intermittant, it provided only occasional relief. Water was also sporadic in its delivery throught the taps, and of course had to be boiled for consumption.
However, the overall experience was one I would not have missed. There were several "expat" families in the compound with young children. We all helped each other out. The children played together communicating in English, Spanish, Thai, Finnish, German, Hindi and Khmer, in a way that only children can. They all participated in a makeshift "International" preschool which one of the other Mums and I started. Some lasting friendships were made...Eila, Eva. Dinka. Most of the helpers only had a smattering of English, but Vathy was quite fluent. French was the actual non-Khmer lingua franca. Many hours were spent sitting with the Khmer girls, Visma, Ramdul, watching the children, and learning of their lives. They were always very careful not to let anyone overhear, as fraternising with "Westerners" was not permitted.
Trips to the market, although exhausting, were eagerly anticipated...and the human-leg-powered "cyclo" rides were hair-raisingly exciting. I loved all the organised chaos, the smells and colours. Usually, I tried to leave "the Boyz" with Vathy at home, as they were always overwhelmed by well-meaning, curious, local ladies who just loved to pinch their cheeks. The market was a veritable gold-mine for antiques, Buddhas,and local gems..."demaine...demaine"...and "Igor" are personal reminiscences. Robert had an exquisite solid gold "Naga" [9-headed dragon] with inlaid gems, styled traditionally, crafted by a local artisan as a 3rd anniversary surprise.
This video of "Life in Phnom Penh", digitalized from Super 8 film, is perhaps the only sequence of its kind documenting those times...
>
Three months into the posting, Unicef, as agreed, sent us out to Hawai'i for the birth of "number two". He was named Justin because during the home-birth, he was having difficulty coming out...and our mid-wife announced "just in time!". He was also immersed in the sea at the Kiko'o Hanau at "Our Beach" when 7 days old. We returned with him in a tiny reed Cambodian basket when he was 3 weeks old, and Taras then 2 years of age...and settled back into Kampuchea...but now we were adapted.
CAMBODIA CRIES
In the land of the four faced head, the living are groaning
From the depths of their graves the dead, are silently moaning
Fear in their eyes reveals horror before
One-legged men remind of continuing war
Oh, Oh...Kampuchea sighs
Oh, Oh...Cambodia cries
The people yearn for a chance, to live peacefully
To rise from their pain, despair and poverty
Won't you lay down your arms...bring the strife to an end
Give hope for the future to all...once again
Oh, Oh...Kampuchea sighs
Oh, Oh...Cambodia cries
Play Song: "CAMBODIA CRIES"
..
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Friday, March 20, 2009
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"We" got pregnant right away since there was a plan...to have our chuldren home-birthed in Hawai'i, partly for purposes of multiple citizenship for them. That meant births had to occur some time around November thru February when we would definitely be in Hawai'i. There were no problems in the child-making department.
After the Australia honeymoon, we stopped off in Hawai'i with my parents, who returned with us from the wedding, and began work on the homestead there, now named Panyana. Onward to Canada and Ekos Orbs where we put in the "family-size" garden, expanded the orchard and began making the "house into a home" process. Before long we would be processing around 400 liters [quarts] of fruit per year and storing large amounts of nuts and dried fruits...well on the road to self-reliance.
Taras was home-birthed at Panyana in Hawai'i in 1985...his name is Ukrainian for "freedom fighter". This changed everything...strenuously, but beautifully so. His first immersion into the sea was at 11 days in the Kiko'o Hanau at "Our Beach". We took him everywhere in the bamboo cradle I built for him...especially camping, in the Volkswagen Van. Later on he named the van "Our Bus".
Songs began to pour out of me and we initiated the HARRISON KRIPPS Band project. We gradually developed a "constant-harmony" vocal style...Libby did keyboard and flute...I did guitar, songwriting and programming. MIDI [Music Instrument Digital Interface] technology was in it's infancy but I could forsee the huge possibilities...we could program drums, bass and [eventually] other instruments to back us up without the encumbrance of a "human" band...since we intended to migrate anually between the homestead in B.C. [Ekos Orbs]and Hawai'i Panyana]. We had more or less assumed that the International Development work was over, for the time being at least. However, the consciousness we derived from our experiences framed our musical "message" which came to be called "Progressive Rock", and was "International Issues" oriented.
We were beginning to have some success and relocated to Vancouver for more opportunity, child in tow...a high point was playing in the re-united "Seeds of Time" for the "Vancouver Classics" concert series which re-assembled many of the foundation bands of the 60s West Coast music scene...that was the night Libby got pregnant again and that would perfectly fit the "Hawaiian birth" plan. Oh yes...and there was Libby's part-time job at the Saskatchewan Pavillion at Expo '86...turkey wings?
One day in August the telephone rang...it was a call from Unicef N.Y., from Bjorn, the Special Representative of the Kampuchea [Cambodia] Program. He asked me to go and administer a Nutrition Program...they had heard of my work in Laos, I had good credentials with socialist countries, and...it was a very tough assignment since the country had just been occupied by Vietnam which overthrew the notorious genocidal Khmer Rouge regime. This was a posting to the "Killing Fields".
I was unenthusiastic...young child, another on the way, music taking off....but Libby liked the idea of adventure. In essence, I declined, but was countered with a lucrative offer and "State your Terms"...I proceeded to outline a dream package including a trip out to Hawai'i for the birth of "number two". The terms were accepted. A few weeks later we had shipped all our music gear and, with child in tow...headed for Kampuchea.
It was a long trip...delays in Frankfurt Germany...delays in New Delhi India [burning feet at the pool!]...delays and briefing in Bangkok, Thailand...noise, pollution, crowds after the relative tranquility of homesteading and music. But back in Asia and immersed in Buddhist art. We revelled in the temples, food, smells, and purchased the first "Dancing Lady" bronze statue...which ultimately became the name of our recording studio.
Onward to "Ho Chi Minh City" [formerly Saigon] and more delays. Finally, we were herded onto a converted military carrier, seated on benches along the walls, and arrived in Kampuchea...the "Land of the Four-Faced Head".
CALLING ON THE PEOPLE
CHORUS
Calling on the people of the world
Man, woman, boy and girl
We just got to join our hands...come on and work together
We just got to join our hands...come on and work together
.....
I said there's trouble down in South Africa...the people cannot unite
Black and colored, they struggle against the white
Apartheid system won't fall without a great fight
Well you got trouble down in Nicaragua...Contras want overthrow
Sandanista hold the power, they will not let go
But the people tired of the fighting, the pain and the woe
Well you got trouble down in Kampuchea...despotic system now rule
Everything has become, political tool
Peace loving people now suffer with regime so cruel
Well you got trouble down in the Mideast...Iran, Iraq and Beirut
Religious madness and ignorance is the root
Innocent people they kidnap, torture and shoot
Trouble with the superpowers...propaganda all of the time
Each one accuse the other for the war and crime
We said "Stop The Arms Race" it's driving us out of our mind
Play Song "CALLING ON THE PEOPLE":
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Wednesday, March 18, 2009
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Laos ["Lao People's Democratic Republic] 1983...steeped in mystery, closed to the world, very traditional Theravada Buddhist culture, communist and former Indochina French colony. Landlocked, and part of the infamous "Golden Triangle" it was subjected to peripheral ravages of the Vietnam War...and shrouded tales of the horrors in bordering Khmer Rouge Kampuchea and China's Cultural Revolution filtered in. One flew in via Bangkok Thailand...what an extreme change!
There were virtually no cars, though motor scooters were becoming common, a 7pm to dawn curfew, regular public address system propaganda blasting in the background, hot, dusty and soooo sloooow. Sometimes my "team" and I [including Ministry of Foreign Affairs "interpreter" but also watchdog] would wait at deserted airstrips for 3 days...our ride was an antiquated Soviet bi-plane...yes, a biplane!
Great experiences in places like Savvanakhet and Luang Phrabang. Beautiful flower gardens..the steamy Mekong River, silk, noodles...tiny, ever-so-polite Asians. We got along very, very well and the word Peace..."Santi Phab"...took on new meaning. From here, the name "Panyana" [the Dragon] arose and eventually became the name of our home in Hawai'i. I had our gold wedding rings with dragon pattern crafted by an elegant Vietnamese jewelress.
Amazingly, the "Wats" [Buddhist temples] were exceedingly well maintained as the traditional belief systems seemed not to be supressed by the communist regime. There were some ruins in the remote countryside, especially Champassak and Pakse that were totally unrestored with heaps of artifacts which fortunately were not accessible to foreign antique operations. I learned and became immersed in Buddhism.
The nutrition work was primarily a World Health Organization to establish what was the prevalence of malnutrition in Laos. It was an opportunity to field test the NUTRISUR nutrition surveillance program on the first portable Epson HX-20. We went everywhere and it was fascinating but really, really tedious.
While based in the capital Vientiane, I lived with a doctor, much my senior and from India, named "Deep"...his prime piece of philosophy which shattered my sense of "noble purpose" somewhat at the time, but to which I came to embrace with some constraints was..."the only thing you develop in development work is yourself". Perhaps a topic for future discussion.
I was obliged to have cleaning staff as a requirement for foreign residents...Seng and See were not only meticulous and a source of much entertainment, but also my "spies" so to speak. Through them, i learned what was really going on. Then there was Phit, the "taxi girl".
It was from the WHO office in Vientiane that I sent the telegram asking Libby to marry me, and received her famous answer 5 days later..."Yes, Please". The project wound down after 3 months, and I went to Australia in preparation for...MARRIAGE...complete with my first Gold-leafed Buddha and short hair. Why did I have short hair?
Well...when I arrived in Manila, Philippines for briefing prior to the Laos mission, the director, staunch Japanese, informed me that although they really wanted me for the contract, I could not possibly go to Laos with mid-back length hair...even in my trademark plait or braid. Two choices...cut it off and do the Laos mission-adventure or, not cut it off but still be paid in full and that's that.
I went back to the hotel and asked the reception to send up their best female hairdresser and my plait was cut off at the neck. She then "styled" me and proclaimed "just like American movie star!".
We were married in Sydney, Australia on May 26, 1984 and rented a campervan to travel the east coast on our honeymoon. It was great fun and as I write this it is a few weeks before our 25th anniversary. Love you Libby!
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Wednesday, March 18, 2009
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Our shared ordeal with the "Rascals" in Papua New Guinea either catalysed, or coincided with, Libby and I growing a lot closer together. It also influenced the way we felt about the country. And, since our development work with the Nutrition Program was now at a sustainable level we found ourselves ready to "move on". We did...as a "sort-of" couple.
On Christmas eve of 1982 we made a surprise arrival at her parent's house in Sydney, Australia. It was indeed a surprise. Since it was not possible under the prevailing circumstances for us to live together at her parent's home, I re-located to Manly Beach for a few months. There, I played guitar casually with Glenda the pianist in a "Private Club" ...an environment of adult singles, exes, and all their complicated relationship dissatisfactions, passions and woes. It was always great to re-connect with Libby when occasion permitted. This is where Aussie beach-jogging was born.
Then, I was invited to Fiji for a World Health Organization by Edmundo, who had heard my presentation at the "National Nutrition Workshop 1982" in Papua New Guinea. The offer...Lao People's Democratic Republic...land-locked in Southeast Asia surrounded by Vietnam, China, Khmer Rough Kampuchea and Thailand...with communist government. This would be really unusual as it was essentially closed to the world excepting a few Soviet advisors.
Since I was intending to return to Ekos Orbs homestead to plant a serious orchard, it was a timely stopover in Fiji en route. Libby thought she may come later on to assess the places in Canada and Hawai'i. Previously, on a trip to Canada and Hawai'i I made movie footage of both "Places"...they were not really to Homestead status yet! With great pride I had shown these films to Libby back in PNG...to kindle her interest, but also to vindicate their existence! You see, I had pretty much made up my mind about this woman.
Just before departure for Fiji, Libby announced that she was coming with me. How great was that! We arrive in Nandi, Fiji the day after a major cyclone and were literally under several feet of water. We felt free, romantic and on our own together. Ovalau, ["Eddie Grant!"] and the isolated village of RukuRuku were excitements. WHO approved the posting to Laos, date pending beaurocracy. We left for B.C. Canada.
EKOS ORBS 1985
EKOS ORBS [Greek for "World Home"] was built by me and mainly friend-helpers in 1978. [Blog 10] describes construction and plantings in detail with a full video tour (year 2000). However, this picture shows it as Libby first encountered the "Homestead-to-be"...trees had not yet grown in too much and the "still-unrefined but basically-there" structure is more visible than later as it aged and trees engulfed...
 EKOS ORBS 2009
Ekos Orbs rests on a bench above a magnificent Lake... 
We spent a fabulous summer there, upgrading the house, planting the first real garden and reading hundreds of magazines...catching up on "the world" after several years in developing countries. Also, our to-become partnership as "colleagues & companions" began in ernest with the development of the NUTRISUR Nutrition Surveillance Program for the first portable computer...I design, Libby programs, we implement/evaluate together...that arrangement is still working!
But autumn came as it does and the Laos confirmation date was not yet finalized...we left for Hawai'i. There is not much to say or show as it was just a rudimentary shack on beautiful but getting-wild land. Still, the mature trees were there in it was majestic. It has truly been our labor of love getting it to the present [blog 27]. She loved "Our Beach" [blog 31], and Hawai'i generally. We had a casual, impromptu "Hawaiian-style wedding" at Hapuna Beach...
 Ultimately, I left for Laos...she returned to Sydney. We had not committed to any re-connect since Laos was a big unknown...but we both new a life together could work...and we were definitely in love!
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