victoria - Live More Lightly

Ubuntu and Notebook Computer

The tour is getting closer and the book is taking up a lot of time. I have to post an update because I realize I have been slow to enter information. When I am streaming real time it will be immediate, but the webcam I bought will not work in Ubuntu so far.

To take on the tour I bought an ASUS notebook and I am downloading the Ubuntustudio Gutsy distro to load on to it. It will be a dual-boot with the absolutely legit copy of Vista that came installed on it. I managed to crash Vista three times installing firefox, anti-virus and a firewall. Thank you Microsoft. I now own legitimate copies of Microsoft software stretching back from DOS (1998), Windows, Windows 95, Windows 2000, two copies of XP and now vista. I also owned Apple Basic, OS9 and OSX 3.9. No wonder I am getting into Open Source. I am tired of continually having to buy new operating systems!

The ASUSTek A8M_A8T Series Notebook came with a built in webcam and mic so streaming should be easy — if I can get Ubuntu to recognize the hardware. It is a dual-core AMD Turion 64×2 TL-52 803 MHz mobile technology chip (AMD K8 Processor), 32 bit operating system, ACPI mother board, NVIDIA GeForce Go 6100, 120 gig HD, bluetooth, SD card reader and DVD burner. It is not the most blazing fast computer, but with the fan it runs really cool and it has connectivity with 4 USB, mini firewire (will need a special converter jack), S-video out and a jack I don’t know what it is for yet. Although I believe I can run the 32 bit distro, I read some forums and found that some people have more problems with it. I haven’t decided yet if I am going to go that route. More research is needed, maybe I will post on the Ubuntu forum.

The notebook is originally from Korea and so has all the characters still on the keyboard. My friend Allen is Korean, so even though the drive was wiped, I will probably be able to get him to type something in Korean for me. Even though this notebook is two years old there is still one year left on the warrantee — I did my research ASUS makes good computers. I have owned several of their mother boards and my current XP and retiring Win 2000 computers both run very well with Intel chips. The AMD 1.5 GHz desktop I used for a few months before passing on to my oldest son, is standing up well under his neglect, although I do still service it.

The thoughtful Korean fellow motorcyclist I purchased it from had already partitioned the drive, so I plan to put Ubuntu on the 2nd partition. The Vista partition uses 21.6 GB for the operating system and 3 internet utilities. No documents, no programs just a very large OS. I have a copy of DOS OS for the very first IBM notebook I [still] own — it is on a single-sided low density floppy disk. I think they can do better, so I will compare how much space the Ubuntu distro takes. The shot below is trying to show the HD space used, but I had to use a flash to get a reasonable photo and it is hard to see.

I had to do some work on my Gutsy desktop today because I wanted to take some screen shots. It is not that easy in Ubuntu, no Grab in utilities (Mac) no shift-prtscrn key (Win). I am downloading a Gnome plug-in called “Go” .

I hope this will allow me to capture some of the song score from the .pdf file I am working on. I may just use the mac at the studio to Grab the score right from Finale, the notation program I am using to produce the score. I am trying to do this whole blog in Ubuntu, but it is a challenge. I am learning a lot though and hope that I will be able to do all of the graphic and book design in Unbuntu using The Gimp and Scribus. The multi-media part will involve the Mac G4 Powerbook as Finale and the audio tools I use are Mac OS. However, I hope this Ubuntustudio version is more supportive of my needs and by the time I am on tour I can erase the Vista from my drive.

A Personal Journey

This project is a personal journey for me that ties together all of the various skills I have developed during my life. My work emerges from the nexus of art and technology, yet I am firmly rooted in the traditions of gospel and blues music. A true Canadian, I am forging an identity of the polyglot of puzzle pieces that were in the box I was handed.

My environmental works go back to when I was in grade 8, living in Toronto, the first COPE environmental action chapter started. I volunteered and was given a survey to take door to door. My grandmother listened to a popular call-in radio show and at lunch time one day, I called in and told them about the survey and the importance of the environmental threat. That was my first radio interview and I was very nervous about calling, but the experience of knocking on doors and talking to people had convinced me this was an important message. Almost forty years later, I am still trying to make a difference, as I still believe that the problems created by humanity’s impact on planetary resources is the biggest challenge we face.

I became a musician and a songwriter who still wanted to make a difference. The Live More Lightly Song was written in 1997 and it contains the audience interactivity that I like to include in my songs. After studying African traditions and my own gospel roots, the technique of how to encourage community involvement through musical contribution became clearer and I wrote this song in that mode. In my opinion, people are more responsive to ideas if you ask them what they would choose to do — not tell them what they have to do. I want to sing with people not at them!

However, I was involved in raising my children and the long term project of getting my BA, Major in Music degree from UBC. The song, and all of my other projects took third place behind family and school work. I graduated from UBC in 2006 and my children are all growing up. I started to think – “What is the most valuable thing I can do?” The most important threat faced by my children, and humanity in general is environmental degradation. How can I take positive action?

The Live More Lightly Song remained in my memory and I started to plan this project. I am facing my fears as I “do just one thing to make a stand”. The public reaction to my songs has been very positive and I reassure my self that this song was given to me for a reason. I hope that I am able to fulfill the purpose of encouraging people to live more lightly.

I want to thank all of the people who I have met and who I have listed in my Sources of Inspiration Page because it is seeing your dedication to fulfilling your dreams that keeps me going.

Arrangement and Sheet Music Production

I have just met with Eric Hominick to start production work on the “Live More Lightly Songbook” and we put in a very productive session in the studio. We are working on producing sheet music for three arrangements of the song.

The basic version: very accessible -contains sheet music for the melody, a simple piano accompaniment, guitar chords and the lyrics.
The intermediate version: Suitable for school and community choirs, vocal groups and facilitated workshops – builds on the above by adding vocal harmony and part singing.
The challenge version: For a trained choir or vocal group – includes more advanced piano accompaniment and part singing.

All the versions will be published in one book, with only the basic version printed out in full. Sample pages of the other printed arrangements will be included in the book so that choral directors can assess the suitability for their group. Parts for versions 2 + 3 will be included on CD for the group to print out.

Directions for the workshop will be included so that people can do the entire process without me. A list of environmentally friendly suggestions will be included to help people develop their personal commitment to living more lightly.

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Equipment utilized: Disklavier piano => MIDI to USB by MOTU => Logic Pro Audio on G4 notebook OSX3.9

Environmentally Friendly Book Production

The “Live More Lightly Songbook” is in the production stage now and I am researching environmentally friendly book production methods. The Association of Book Publishers of BC (ABPBC) has already done a lot of the work for me and has produced an EcoKit that you can download from here.

They also recommend visiting Markets Initiative to find out more about ancient forest friendly paper. I am so happy when I see industries making the move towards reducing the impact that humanity has upon the planet.

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I also intend to minimize the amount of material I use by making the book as small as possible and including the rest of the content on CD. Updates, additional arrangements and other extras may be downloadable from the website. I would like to compile a library of song performances, so that every participant can feel the support of all of the other singers.

Live More Lightly Support

I have created a new page to record all support and funding that the Live More Lightly Project receives. I also want people who may be reading these pages to know that I am working hard to make this project a reality.

I have applied to several arts funding programs and have recently received notification of a few more that I can try. So far I have not been successful in obtaining funding, but it has been really encouraging to be considered for project support by the Second Inclusiva-net Meeting: Digital Networks and Physical Space. The project development would have occurred in Madrid, Spain, which was a bit daunting as I do not speak Spanish. I planned to collaborate with European artists using internet translation similar to the service provided when the flags on the top left of my blog are selected.

The Live More Lightly Project has already opened horizons for me as I investigate the work of other artists internationally. I am still hopeful that I will obtain support to produce the project the way I envision. Even if I have to scale back due to self-funding constraints, I will still do my best to realize the spirit of the project.

The idea is to change lifestyles in the developed world one action at a time. We are each capable of doing some small effort that can add up to a big difference.

I am using the ancient methods of the musical troubadour combined with all of the most powerful modern technologies of the internet to deliver the message “We can live more lightly upon the land”. I believe this is an important message and I hope that some of these funding and sponsorship coordinators will think so too.

Streaming from a Motorcycle Outline

Sketch of Bike cam logo idea by Victoria

Streaming Video From a Motorcycle

Required Equipment

Category	Equipment
1.	Image Capture Device camera lense and recorder (helmetcam or isight)
2.	Notebook Computer Macintosh Powerbook Ubuntu Powerbook Choice of OS may lead to using two notebook computers Backup always good, but space limited.
3.	Satellite Modem many choices data calls expensive Sponsorship an option
4.	Monitor Device cell phone monitor stream small LCD screen
5.	Voice Communications Satellite cell phone with Bluetooth headset and networking
6.	Video Switching device Handlebar mounted video switching device to stream camera1 or 2
7.	Streaming Server Many options including free services

First Ubuntu Post

My Ubuntu internet computer is now operational and I am exploring the unique personality it has. I am considering using a Ubuntu or other Linux OS for the notebook computer(s) I will use on the Live More Lightly Tour.

There are three reasons that I would like to try this:

Cost: I wanted to buy a Mac G4 dual core Powerbook to replace the single core I recently sold, but it seems that the model I need will cost approx. $3500. I could put a Ubuntu OS on a dual core platform for much less. I would also like to put my limited resources behind Open Source software because I have spent all of my money on computers and music technology for decades. When I bought my Powerbook, it took all the money I had. Then I had to go and work to buy the software. I did not get as much use out of my notebook as I might have because I had to have paying work to buy the tools I needed. If I start spending my money on Open Source I can expect that next time the tools will cost less — not more. Another issue is the cost of constantly updating software as I update my hardware. I still have my Windows 2000 computer because it has Corel Draw and several other programs I bought for that computer that would not run on XP. Now, with Ubuntu, I will try Open Office drawing programs and if I am able to meet my requirements, then I won’t have to worry about buying the upgrade all of the time.
Green Power: I think that open source is inherently less energy consuming. I am going to have to research this point, but it seems that the corporate system of OS and software production is so huge and profit oriented that a community based alternative must be better. As they say in Wikipedia … citation needed.
Community: The Ubuntu Community may be willing to assist me in my desire to move the internet down the highway streaming from a motorcycle (at perfectly legal speeds, of course). I am trying to open a dialog with Apple as well. I really did love my old G4 Powerbook, but it was very costly to be a part of that community and my object is to produce Art not impress with a fashion statement. Aesthetics are a part of the artistic process, but in my case, the “look” of my computer is not the most important thing.

Continue reading First Ubuntu Post

The Power of Women

Part of the purpose of the Live More Lightly Project is to encourage people who are already acting to save the planet. During many of my face-to-face conversations with people they ask me questions in a way that is actively discouraging. I plan to start a FAQ section to respond in bulk, but the point I want to make here is to note the general response. The general reaction to taking the initiative to try to do something about the condition of our planet is that is a waste of time and it will not make any difference.

I believe that one person can make a difference.

Especially if that one voice is joined by other voices.

My song is designed to encourage people to make a change in the environment by pledging to do one small thing. I think it’s a start and if a person has to think about the one thing they are going to do — then they might think about doing more things. It is about making a start.

I have always thought that in this consumer culture, the only way to get companies to go greener and change their ways is to refuse to buy wasteful and polluting products. I have noticed that even large supermarket chains are carrying organic food now because they have been steadily loosing customers to organic grocery stores. One woman who agrees with this idea is Diane MacEachern who believes in using women’s spending power to change the world. Her sites Big Green Purse and The World Women Want tell us that “The power is in your purse”. Diane has written books and toured the US to bring her message to the women who are searching for ways to make greener choices.

The Ditty Bops, who are also women musicians, did their tour by bicycle! This is a link to their blog about the tour. A friend of mine told me about them after I talked about being inspired by a person I met this summer who was riding his bike from the prairies to the west coast and back.

There are many women’s stories and I have found a lot of inspiration on the internet. Even CNN has started a list of tips on how to live a greener lifestyle, so someone is making a difference!

Working on Administrative Tasks

The blog should be better organized now as I have provided a site map page (see under Pages at Left). What do you think of the green background? I am trying to do some new things in wordpress. My video pop plug-in still is not working, but the link to my song for Womens Day plays in Quicktime. I am trying to find some sponsorship and working on contacting venues that might want to host a workshop or performance. It is a lot of detailed work, but this is my environmental initiative and I want to do the best job I can.

I also have started a page called “Sources of Inspiration” because my Blogroll was getting kind of crowded. I am listing others who inspire me with their work and businesses that I find useful. I will put a little bit about each one and will put a link to my relevant page if there is more info there.

I am hoping to get some dates confirmed soon and I am working on doing a couple of local presentations in Vancouver so I can make a video clip. It would be nice to stream it for an example, but I am waiting until after the MacWorld Expo to buy a new notebook. There are many rumours about new features and I am going to wait until the end of January. Mike has informed me that he has managed to install Ubuntu on my 1.5 Ghz Intel computer, and I plan to pick it up on Tuesday. This will be my first Linus OS computer, so I expect a learning curve.

I did buy a Kaos Pad to develop my electronic music show a bit more. Sound files will be uploaded soon, but I do miss my G4 notebook for music production.

I hope the new site map helps with navigation and I hope to have some confirmed dates and project news soon. See you on-line.

Song for International Women’s Day

This is a video of a song written by Victoria Gibson in honour of International Women’s Day. Performed by Victoria and the Seaquam Secondary School Choir for the Society of Women in Science and Technology Conference in 2000 held at the school.

I have performed this song almost every year since I wrote it in 1994. The song was written to include the audience in affirming and celebrating International Women’s Day by giving them the line “Way-way-oh-way-oh” to sing or chant. I chose these syllables because my teenagers were arguing and one was insisting “Way”, while the other stated definitely “No way”. This sparked the idea in my mind that “way” could be a synonym for agreement and also indicate a positive direction, path or way.

This is a Quicktime link
Link to Women’s Day Song

Link to Womens Day Song Information and Lyrics

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Victoria will be performing the Womens Day Song

live in Bellingham on March 8th, 2008

[WA] Whatcom County Intl. Women's Day Celebration -

The Bellingham
Intl. Women's Day Celebration in Bellingham

 with Farmworkers
Whatcom County Women's International Day Celebration****


TIME: 4:00 PM

LOCATIONS: Bellingham, Washington

Maritime heritage Park (500 Block of West Holly Street), the rally will kick

off with a performance by the Raging Grannies and a short talk by Andreia

Borges Ferreira of the Brazil Landless Workers Movement. At 4:30pm we will

be marching downtown Bellingham and ending up at the DreamSpace

(1318 Bay Street) for an evening celebration of dancing, divas, and

desserts!

Focus: Rural Women confronting globalization fight for food sovereignty!

Check out Womens Day events near you on this site:

Womens Day Site