Tyler Clementi was a violinist. He made it to Second Conductor’s Chair in his hometown orchestra before graduating high school. After his graduation he came out to those close to him. Then he went off to Rutgers. His talent won him a seat in a high-level orchestra there. He was excited to start college and live as himself, at peace with himself and as a gay man.

Then the trouble began. His roommate set up a video camera in his room, viewed him in intimacy, and invited his friends to view it online. He learned his roommate would do it again, and that through twitter he was being cyber-bullied and a topic of ridicule just for being himself.

He then chose a permanent solution to a temporary problem. He went to the George Washington Bridge and got off it the hard way. He was only 18 years old.

His family, honoring him, founded the Tyler Clementi Foundation. The Foundation, from their site “Envisions a world that embraces all members of society with human dignity and unconditional love regardless of sexual orientation or differences, real or perceived.”

In other words it helps to end the illusion of separation.

Sam from Papadosio learned of Tyler and his story and it touched him.  He put his thoughts to music, and it is a beautiful song.  It will be a part of a release next week, “Night and Day”. They recently made videos of several up to now unreleased tracks including this one.  This called me to post this on here, and to restart this blog.

Please support the Foundation. And Remember, Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Here is Papadosio: What’s At Stake, Thanks Sam, and Guys

Many years ago, one of my best experiences was working for a group whose core model was Planting Seeds. It was an educational group planting the seeds of legalization and medical marijuana. Now, it’s time to branch out and take that a step further.

I have had the privilege to have done a great deal of printing in the past year for many great people and organization, as well as other merchandise and products for them, and I have learned a great deal from the experience. Now, it is time to plant the Future Forests, even if paper is not the end product of these. I am starting with one organization, Trees for the Future, they are working on planting trees in agroforestry and working with the indigenous populations in the areas they serve. I am looking for other groups to donate a portion to that deal in reforestation, but it seems time to start now, and Earth Day seems like a good day..

Then I took a break.. And the song that came on? We are Water. Perfect timing. Thinking back on today’s Holiday and the past weekend, there was only one thing I could do.. A donation was made to the One Drop Foundation. One Drop was founded by Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque De Soleil. And to be honest, it has a wonderful name, if we can help people with One Drop of safe water, we can help them with so much more.. Almost 1 Billion people don’t have access to safe drinking water (Not counting the Fluoride issue in the US, simply basic safe water). And according to the Foundation poor quality water is the second-highest cause of infant mortality worldwide. We are over 65% water, this has to change.. Hopefully this organization can help out.

Also, at some point this year I will be offsetting all my travel and my estimated energy usage. That will have to come later, and I look forward to working with those groups and organizations that would like to do the same. This is but a start, Paying it in Arrears, and Paying it Forward..

Happy Earth Day, And Happy Earth Existence..