We've had two snow falls this autumn season so far in the city, the first with devastating results to some major branches of the tree in our backyard. The wet heavy early snow on branches that still have leaves buckled under the pressure and snapped. So it is with people, if you put too much weight, stress and risk on them they get bogged down and snap to relieve pressure. The last month has been just overwhelming, fun and inspiring to say the least. (Photo by Leslie Muirhead)

Our trip to Wooster, Ohio to visit Phil's friends and family was great! It included shooting guns for my first time out in the country, drinking Pennsylvania Lager beer Yuengling, catching up with friends and family, Vicki's home cooked meals, fantastic restaurants and food like Coccia House and the City Square steak house. We also went to Cleveland for a day to visit Phil's aunt and uncle and go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and dine in the city. It was a good vacation because we got to take the load of work off, eat, drink and sleep well, try new things and interact with people we love and never see.

Phil and I also attended the Amon Tobin Isam concert, or rather art installation of sound and visual glory October 18th at the Boulder Theater to a sold out crowd. He worked with some amazing artists to create the Isam experience. As Pitchfork says, "Amon Tobin creates aural treasures...He rejuvenates the pallid genre of electronica every time he permits the world to glance through the twisted digital window of his music."
Playing all original songs, he crafted them seamlessly together and with visual accentuation affecting all senses, visual, audio and indeed tactile as you could feel your body shake with the bass and lifted with the beauty of his music which shines in all shades.

One of my other all time favorites, Portishead from Bristol performed right here in our city of Broomfield at the 1st Bank venue on October 27th where we got to be in the music heaven they graciously create. (Photo by Phil Amann) I don't know why Beth Gibbons isn't recognized more for her lyrics and singing, she is just epic, as is the whole band - the drumming, guitar, programming, vinyl scratching were all just top notch and the visuals were pretty tight too. They really strike a high caliber of chord with people: raw, original and gorgeous music and feelings.

Human emotions ran pretty high in October in the whole world it seems, Occupy Wall Street in NYC began with a group of people protesting the financial industries irresponsibility and corruption of public policies, subsidies and bailouts and with unemployment rate on average in the U.S. at 9% its no surprise. (Photo by Roman Tafoya) People have the right to freely assembly and peacefully protest. Naomi Wolf wrote a chilling article on the brutal police assaults on the Occupy Wall Street movement here. So I say, let your causes of concern be heard! Even if you aren't in the streets, support those who are risking themselves for a better future for us all, Iraq war veterans included. Call your state representatives about legislation you do or do not want to pass, write them letters, and sign online petitions these are great democratic ways to help push for the change you want to see too. Major commercial banks have already felt the blow of consumer anger since many are closing their accounts and switching to credit unions. Further, I'd just like to say the super committee in the U.S. Congress in charge of cutting our budget by a trillion dollars, shouldn't be putting clean water or our social security on the chopping block for consideration. Fair trade is better than free trade too, Obama. I mean haven't we learned from NAFTA and the devastating affects on people who have no choice but to be exploited by U.S. corporate interests and the interests of their own corrupt leaders? My causes of concern have been pretty plain in this blog, they are the issues I care about because they directly impact me and those I love and the rights of human beings. I believe in a sustainable and bright future that includes affordable access to education, health care and in freedom and happiness all through peaceful creative cooperation.

Every day we climb stairs
yearning to see the top. Fascist skies stained glass blue
the sun shines through still it isn’t enough.

She talks in rainbow hues riding laughter
working hours and curvatures
her body tepidly absorbing auspicious tides.

The carp in our tunnel the strain in our lobe
Eyes that seek what they cannot yet see
In every echo of every step seems just like a dream.