Fortress Of Freedom Board

[Maurice Ali]

Surprise- got another guitar!




This is what my second Les Paul Standard P-90 looks like!



That is the Gibson Standard P-90 Goldtop! This guitar was the only one available for me to buy in person basically in Ontario. They had a damaged demo in Brampton and a rental unit being sold in Mississauga - so a pass on those. I was kind of nervous driving up to the new Long&Mcquade store in Stouffville that replaced the old one in Markham. Basically if the guy there was a jerk and offered no discount I would leave and check out the others. But the guitar was there and it was perfect but I still spent a half an hour checking it out as well as the neck of course. And they did knock a few hundred dollars off the price so I was a happy camper as there are maybe like seven new ones in all of Canada now.




This is what my Les Paul Standard P-90 looks like!



Really looked it over back home and I can’t find anything wrong, so it looks like it’s a keeper. Compared to my Gibson Studio, the two guitars couldn’t be more different apart from the shape and woods. The Studio is this dark brown almost black burst while the P-90 is metallic gold on top and almost blond mahogany body and neck with binding all over. The Studio has weight relief chambers in the body to lighten it while the P-90 is solid and heavier. Studio had the all metal Grovers while the P-90 has the period correct Kluson style tuners with cream knobs. While on the headstock the Studio have a silkscreen Gibson logo while the P-90 is mother-of-pearl. The neck is a slightly thicker 50s neck on the P-90. The Studio has a printed circuit board for the controls, while the P-90 has the traditional hand wired and soldered pots on a metal shielding plate. The bridges are different with period correct ABR-1 on the P-90 and later Nashville on the Studio. Then the big difference which is the P-90 pickups from that era as opposed to the humbuckers on the Studio.




This is what my Les Paul Standard P-90 looks like!




Here is my Les Paul Studio to compare!



So I was successful in getting two Les Paul’s that are as different as you can get. Actually polar opposites! Mission accomplished and now I have the P-90 tone I didn’t have before! As for the guitar available when I was born (1959) it would still have been the P-90 I bought. Sales were abysmal with less than 700 Les Pauls made in 1959. The 1959 model was the first burst Les Paul that looks like it does today. But that is just technical semantics. The bulk of Les Paul’s on sale were the P-90 version I bought and especially in Winnipeg in 1959 when I was born. This is the Les Paul available to purchase in 1959. Some claim the factory still made a few P-90 Goldtops in 1959 as specialty order request and two have actually been seen. But the guitar I bought is the same guitar I would buy in a guitar store back then when I was born.




So, I’m a happy camper today!




Goodnight…..





https://youtu.be/jSP7qS3m_0w?si=vvxL8NSJxkZtZ9D9

[Maurice Ali]

A no work weekend…..



Note that everything I get into goes to shit:






Started a newspaper in 2004 and newspapers went to shit.







Started publishing books and books went to shit.



Started TV producing and indie TV production has gone to shit.






Started movie indie production and indie movie production has really gone to shit.







Music production has gone to shit - at least big time production - Very few indie projects get made at places like MetalWorks for example.



Indie Records label in extinction mode. FOF Records is one of the last corporate labels in Canada.







Live action in music disappearing. Gigs are not what they used to be like before the pandemic.



Music distribution and royalties have dropped off a cliff.



Everything we touched turned to crap - but we are unaffected as I run everything on vapours. But still, my interest in things is the “canary in the coal mine” that it’s turning to shit.




So expect guitars and guitar playing to fall off a cliff soon! Do with that in mind as I bought my last vital guitars mostly from the States as that reality could become toxic in the future and expensive and I’m now done with it now. Getting that last Les Paul actually sits well with me now. But the future of guitar playing is cursed now with me getting into it!



I’m developing an “ear” for tone. At the beginning many think the tone knob is broken on their guitar - but the reality is that their hearing has to be trained to notice the difference. But now I’m noticing tone, and one reason I got the P-90 Les Paul as I can start to really notice the nuances. That big stuff for a guy not naturally sited to music.



So I continue with my personal journey into music. Right now it’s a fret file I bought and will be smoothing out rough frets in my el’cheapo Kramer. That guitar is now on sale at Long&Mcquade for 250 bucks. That must be the cheapest guitar you can buy in a store these days, and it’s mine! Whoopy…..



Oh, since I got the P-90 Les Paul I am noticing it in the music I like. One shocker is Santana at Woodstock! He is playing a Gibson SG there but if you look at his guitar - there you will see the black plastic P-90s - but I noticed the tone first! Those P-90 pickups just cut through the mix and even the crowd! My senses have improved in my old age - how many can say that…..




Goodnight…..





https://youtu.be/JaaT_HRb4GU?si=aIXJlHva1uxpzty6

[Maurice Ali]

Another busy day.



The CRA - as expected - sent me another assessment and penalty like the others. So I will create another response and send it in by Thursday. It’s amazing how soul crushing that stuff can be…..




Fender American Professional II!



Still loving my new guitars. Usually I have some regrets. Don’t click any links below if you aren’t into guitars. But I’ll leave all you alone from the guitar stuff for a while.




This is what my Les Paul Standard P-90 looks like!



Goodnight…..





https://youtu.be/pTuvixQBQTg?si=n7Nf3FIflrglfdcA


https://youtu.be/MIVqTsGdpzM?si=46jVatKVjwaVjv3K

[Maurice Ali]

I’m sending out the CRA stuff out today - and for the first time this year - seriously looking and applying to go to the UN and push out our advocacy!







I think the time is right to green light travel to the States. Just do it right and minimize things and the upside should be way better than the downside. This all starts today with at least two events. It has to start now as many are still afraid of travel to the States. If I also wait, then it’s harder to get into and speak at events as they will be again - full. Remember that General Assembly event where I was just a few feet away from world leaders, that was because it was the tail end of covid and the UN had just opened up for normal operations - you don’t squander opportunities like that…..







As usual things are super busy for me but - this moment marks change from just spinning wheels doing little and actually trying to change things in the world!



A good thing I just got all those guitars - the money is now going elsewhere.




Goodnight…..

[Maurice Ali]

Getting back into what was normal…..







I’m looking at maybe going to New York early in May. A bunch of tech events there which is unusual. We shall see - but at least I’m looking again. Off the General Assembly dates, I would like to if at least, get a chance to speak but we shall see.



At least we are starting to get back to normal…..




Goodnight…..

[Maurice Ali]

Ok, I changed vacation dates and booked a hotel room at my usual hotel (one of the last rooms). The big event is a UN STI (science / technology / innovation) event for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. However, there is also an AI event there on May 6 and I don’t have to go to Switzerland to attended! The first thing I will do is get my 2025 UN grounds pass and have that dangle from my neck walking around there in Manhattan. I haven’t heard of anyone being detained with a UN pass around their neck…..







So that event cinched it! All I have to do now is apply for FOFSTOCK (IAIJ is automatically registered) and also get that event included in its application for consultative status. So no matter what happens with FOFSTOCK I guess I’m going.



As for other issues, if I get in with pre-clearance you are in, otherwise you are just released at the airport if pre-clearance if denied. If you get in just carry all your documents plus more than you need.







So that changed fast and I’m back in it again. It’s a good thing I finished those guitar purchases as the money goes to the advocacy now…..



BTW: That AI event is courtesy of our own Bob Rae as he is the current President of ECOSOC and is holding it under his name and position. I figure he will probably open it.







Goodnight…..





https://youtu.be/I44_zbEwz_w?si=oMqMK3dYuB2VK5a8

[Maurice Ali]

Friday was a day of consequence.







What you see above is my result of IAIJ’s four year review and we continue to have good status for at least the next four years. My agenda of global change to increase humanity’s happiness has also become more focused. I have focused my attention to the Security Council that holds ultimate power at the United Nations and has veto powers. I know that seems weird - but the UN Security Council holds ultimate power. This is the key to victory.



The member nations that have veto power are:



5 permanent members with veto power:
* China.
* France.
* Russian Federation.
* United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
* United States of America.



I really only have to win over these five nations to the secure the Positive Mandate and the Worldwide Vote concepts and with 2/3 of member votes I can change the world. Get these five and the rest will follow. In fact, you only have to concentrate on these five.



So I have another 4 years unless I truly do something stupid. That event coming up in May also allows for interventions and I will apply - focusing on the Worldwide Vote to increase partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals by partnering with everyone on earth which would be a first! They will most likely pass me by - but you got to try.



The real score is to talk to the Security Council about some of these ideas and just look into a test trial just to see how all this would work out. Currently the closest I ever got to getting to the Security Council was when I ate a banana in front of an open door to the Security Council while in session. I could have walked in and watched from inside the chamber - but I was eating a banana! And before you laugh at that - when was the last time you ate a banana in front of an open door to the Security Council in session? In the end, a popular vote has no power at the UN but billions voting on global issues can sway things for better policy making which is the goal here…..





While eating a banana - I took a pic of the Security Council!



And note how I don't need numbers to do this. I can do this “lone wolf” style unlike the last attempt in the 1990s. I have a chance…..



I’m back in this…..



My status announcement also reminded me of what I got through the UN as opposed to my usual life. There I have almost an alter ego. I’m this CEO (a “distinguished representative”) of an international NGO of consequence. I can change things in the world over there. Recognizing citizen journalists as legitimate media workers - I was a part of that back in 2015! Anyway, status there is a big deal and affords an opportunity to do things most people can’t, and also some protections while you do it. Losing status just throws you back into the sea of humanity where you and your ambitions get lost. Anyone with a score to settle with me will do it once I’m out! But that hasn’t happened yet and I get another four years.



I get seven grounds passes for every headquarter at the UN. This actually reminds me of “The Continental” if you ever watched any of the John Wick films. Hit men and mobsters by profession with “The Continental” as neutral territory where they treat each other as dignitaries and rules are to be obeyed. The Security Council is like the “High Table” in the film. Spread throughout the world like the UN - I just found the connection funny. Getting kicked out of there (UN) is big stuff and public - everyone finds out. And here I am pushing the limits and waiting almost a year for our four year evaluation. I was getting a bit nervous. And the only time you ever saw John Wick (the killing machine - “the bogeyman”) really scared was when his membership at The Continental was revoked and he has nowhere to go for sanctuary, nowhere to hide. That is sort of me and the UN…..



Goodnight…..





https://youtu.be/b6YwM6WevRE?si=bF4nMFqlFS7VCpif


https://youtu.be/9I7JKnD_dyw?si=mF_xaHQi5fKZs3yz

[Maurice Ali]

Things have been decided and are moving quickly…..



The usual conference call is over and the offer of advocating directly to the United Nations Security Council has a “green light”. This really has me pumped and we legitimately have a chance and now it is not just me saying it!




While eating a banana - I took a pic of the Security Council!



We now have four years before they can find a way to get us out of there so we better make the most of it. There is risk but I’m 65 and I was purpose built for it. The pluses outweigh the negatives. As far as I can see, nobody has ever tried it like this before with the high stakes that we have; and that’s why it’s going to work…..





Goodnight…..





https://youtu.be/r2PB1U9aejc?si=P8mhIyeG6hcKAgHG

[Maurice Ali]

That was one transformative weekend!



With a new four year term at the United Nations, we have a new strategy that literally is the polar opposite of the last push in the 1990s. Will this idea of working the Security Council work? Maybe or maybe not or something in the middle, but they have final judgement in the end as they have a veto and you only need one to scuttle everything. So you may as well start there and at least you will quickly know your fate as opposed to the other method that went down in flames back in the day.



The weekend actually felt really good and invigorating. People actually are endorsing this new path! I’ll be pushing 70 before we are up for review again and that may be enough to settle things and go back to a traditional NGO if it does not work out. People around here are actually re-evaluating the whole advocacy path and probabilities. This new path is easier and more possible - but that also could mean a quick decision on the whole thing - but at least we get a decision!



The taxes are on hold for a while. I have time on my side and got caught up on sleep this weekend. I’m actually remembering my dreams and writing them down as they are kind of bizarre from plausible events. Anyway, this weekend marks a 180 degree change from the normal usual hobby like guitar and back to the surreal world where we may be able to change things in the world. And now my own gang is openly willing to think about it.



I applied for FOFSTOCK to attend with an AI session on the sixth and another one on the seventh. I applied to speak about the Worldwide Vote at the partnerships session on the 8th - but good luck getting to speak there. So probably an AI event trip and an overnighter in New York. All I have left is the flight there which isn’t urgent yet. Man, hotel rooms are still expensive when stuff is going on in New York. I will also renew my grounds pass first thing and have that dangling around my neck in Manhattan - just in case. In the end, I will be fulfilling my obligation to push against the AI threat that my dad and others brushed aside back in the late 1960s and early 1970s. They are dead or too old to do anything now and that now falls on their children. There are all sorts of robots for sale now, and of course those robots for “companionship and intimacy” - and you can speculate on what “intimacy” means as one robot on display has some sizable “booty”! Yes, we are already there…..




“Intimacy”? That robot ass is there for a reason!



I still loooked at and fondled my guitars, but the path forward is now clear. Good thing I finished buying my essential guitars last few weeks - the money goes for the advocacy now…..




Goodnight…..





https://youtu.be/4uE96qUlJ_4?si=8_HZM1LGvKJMSevn


https://youtu.be/2HQ84TVcbMw?si=x11RBLDJB8JPN_EI


https://youtu.be/7zj-YGvp7TM?si=OQJOYpwK3QnGhMht

[Maurice Ali]

Everything I’m doing now is just - so bad ass!



So just two years ago, we at FOFSTOCK put out our statement on AI advocacy just a month after the corporation was created - and two years later FOFSTOCK is attending AI events in person at UN Headquarters in New York:

[Maurice Ali]

With the airplane flight set up I’m all good to go.






The question is what phone to take? I’ll probably take the Pixel for security and a clean phone. That works for the border and immigration and the UN all at once. No reason to delete the email app so as it’s boring as you probably figured. With pre-clearance at Pearson not much can go bad other than being turned away. So that is the plan going down there.







While there and coming back is a bigger plan. I may go back to taking the taxi to the hotel and back. While there I look American (keep the hair long) and it’s Manhattan but carry all documents and first thing in that UN grounds pass. Looking American but running around town and subways like Grand Central with luggage is a red flag - so expensive taxi it is. So I guess I’m the human “guinea pig” for non-white travel to the States.



Aside from that I’m cleaning up the house and stretching again. Taking things easy as there is enough going on in my life. And that’s the update today…..




Goodnight…..

[Maurice Ali]

FOFSTOCK moves to our office at 7030 Woodbine (Suite 500) today:

[Maurice Ali]

I’m reading up on scary detentions in the States.


So I’m going by pre-clearance at Pearson so if anything happens I just turn around and walk away and lose all the money for the trip - but definitely preferable to detention and interrogation.



Once there:



Taxi to and from the hotel as walking around town with a suitcase is asking for trouble. I can carry all my documents with this foldable fabric pouch with neck strap but I will look for something flatter as it will be with me always.



First thing is the UN grounds pass as that is intimidating if stopped by authorities.



I should be able to hold onto my passport and such coming back from the States at the airport scanners and not leave it in a tray.



We shall see what happens and if stopped - remain calm and above all answer questions truthfully as giving cocky answer could be construed as deception and lead to more things.



Anyways, the long weekend is here and Friday is updating website pages.




Later…..

[Maurice Ali]

I have time to do things and having time can get a bit scary.



Not the upcoming trip, but regular life things that you put out of your mind as you are so consumed with current things that have to be done.



You are reminded that you are getting older. Retirement could happen at any moment though I’m aiming for a few years from now. You make plans but realize that there are all sorts of examples of friends making plans and - poof! - they are dead! That happened a few times already.



Family responsibilities as in first born and all that:



Life is simpler if you are on your own. All kinds of options and open to you at this age. I guess I’m lucky as I can do what I want to do and take care of everything else - but there is no freedom for me.



This weekend I have time to clean the place up and check out around the houses and plan things before everything starts to grow. Right now I’m getting an oil change. But having time means time to think and it’s always depressing in so many ways.







Apple called me on Friday to tell me they have everything they need to proceed with their investigation. So things will probably go quiet for a while and we will just see what happens. I assume most of the incidents they get are disgruntled customers, so a policy thing this esoteric must be a big change for them. Anyway, this is what we do here…..




Goodnight…..





https://youtu.be/rZOFROdFjZk?si=p9A3Jmrh2fT3nYvB