I saw the indie film Open Water today, the story of a couple that goes scuba diving and gets left in the middle of the ocean when the drop boat mistakenly leaves them. It was shot on digital video and sharks are clearly the co-stars in this one. Not the fake jaws, mechanical sharks, but the real deal. Enough hype, it was ok. I didn't really like it to be honest, but I love the fact that the people who made it took a chance and spent their life savings on this film and its gaining in popularity. I'll support that type of effort every time.

 

Tonight I needed support big time. I hate to be the one in need of a pep talk or positive reinforcement, but lucky for me Shelly and Jason were here to listen to my gripes. I had not eaten either and it was 830pm so imagine how cranky I was.

 

Well all is better. I wasn't left in the 'middle of the ocean' or in my case the middle of the street to wallow in my own pity.

 

Yeah me, Mr. Anti-Religion prayed today. I'm still very spiritual but I haven't prayed in a long time, probably the last time I was on an airplane. So, my prayer went a little something like this.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I actually fell asleep and forgot to say Amen, but I think God understands.

 

A few days ago Shawn informed me that he'll be in Boston all next week beginning Sunday and I'm definitely going up there. I need a clearer perspective on my next move and its impossible to do that when I'm standing in front of the camera per se. I will be able to relax and meditate without worrying about landlords showing the apartment. It's a daily reminder that I wont be living here any more. Challenging yes, impossible no.

 

I'm not sure if I will be taking the Fung Wah bus or driving yet. I guess I need to survive the upcoming protest on Sunday first right? Shelly and Jason will protect me or at least go down with me. Stay tuned.....

 

It is very important to rest before a big protest the night before. Walking a great distance requires a lot of mental and physical stamina. This is why I laid down at 100am tonight so that I could be rested.

 

Time ticks away.....

1:15

1:30

1:45

1:52

 

Man, if I can't sleep what's the point of just laying here? I get up, get dressed and went to the local hangout- Royale for some good pre-protest music and energy. As I'm typing now with only an hour before I am supposed to leave to meet up with the other volunteers, I can tell I will be hating life soon. But 'F' it! I'm doing this for a good 'cause. At least that's what I keep telling myself. 

 

Today was quite an amazing display of solidarity against in many people's eyes public enemy #1- George W. Bush. The Protest Against the Bush Agenda was the largest protest ever against an active president and the largest protest at a party convention, nearly 500,000 people. It felt great to be a part of such an exercise.

 

The day started early for us (Shelly, Jason & Joe) as we reached the meeting local for other volunteers. We were given a destination to hand out broadsheets or as Jason called them logistical information or vital information. Overall people were pretty nice and thanked us for them. I was even more impressed with the calm cooperative manner of NYPD.

 

After a couple hours of handing out these sheets, the heat and hunger wore us down and we escaped to eat at a diner. Krispe Kreme donuts weren't doing the job.

 

We went back to our 'post' just in time to enter the march as it started. It was wonderful to see a lot of senior citizens and ex-hippies in attendance and I talked with some of them to see what parallels can be drawn from the political atmosphere then and now. One glaring difference is that there is no draft board to go in front of. I know I wouldn't be fighting in this so-called war on terrorism.

 

I encourage you to take a glance at the first wave of pictures from the protest here. The files are large so for slow connection allow more time. You might even see a picture of yours truly and the president......

 

Yesterday I felt really great about participating in the protest. Today I got a dose of the Republican Convention and reality set in. Fear tactics remain the most powerful weapon used in this campaign.

 

In fact this whole topic is boring me.

 

Next.

 

 

The problem with my approach to life sometime is that it rely's heavily on timing and sometimes that timing comes late in the day. I left for Boston tonight at 12am and got in around 4am. No Fung Wah this time I drove.

 

It was very pleasant. Being away from the big city will help me- I hope. Things are getting down to the wire, but I remain positive and hopeful.