Two Sides Of Venice

There are a lot more than two sides to Venice, really, but when I was out walking to my friend's house yesterday, I saw two examples of some stark differences right by each other. The first was natural beauty that was so stunning, you simply had to stop and stare. I love a hibiscus, and this one was among the top ones I've ever seen. Pink and orange and perfect there in the sunshine, it made you think about how almost heartbreakingly beautiful Venice can be.

Then, right around the corner I saw a trash can out for pick up, and the people had written on its side just exactly how they feel: We do what we want. We don't care ... Fuck the System. It's hard to disagree with ... and kind of how I've always thought of Venice. We do what we want ... we don't care what others think ... and most of us moved here because we don't agree with the system everywhere else. Only now it's starting to BE like everywhere else here a bit ... and that's why I think people get so upset, and so protective, and so argumentative ... because you're either feeling the uniqueness of Venice slipping away - or among the ones making that happen. Both are at odds. And the new ones that are trying to make Venice like everywhere else just don't get it. There's a long history of beauty, and art, and rebels, and music makers ... and the dreamers of dreams who want to live somewhere special, like nowhere else. In our Venice. In our COMMUNITY of like-minded friends and neighbors.

Beauty. Rebellion. That's my Venice. For as long as we can make it so.

Peace is Powerful

There is so much going on in the world lately, it hardly seems relevant to talk about your own little stuff these days. The Occupy Movements have been so inspiring ... that the People are finally uniting together to INSIST on positive change.

My heart has been swollen with pride and crushed into pulp so many times about it all that it can be exhausting to even think about. Most recently, I saw the video of the horrible UC - Davis campus police pepper spraying the peaceful, SITTING STILL students in the face as they did NOTHING. I sobbed - out loud and immediately - that this would go on in our country at a peaceful protest. Yet it illustrated the need for change so profoundly, it was, again, inspiring, though horrific to view. The bystanders' screams of horror were the worst part to me, as they stood there in disbelief. We don't need to see it again. Ever.

Now then, look at the beautiful, though tough as nails, student reaction to the chickenshit Chancellor lady finally coming out of hiding and leaving her office:



SILENCE! PEACE! The sheer disappointment expressed by saying not one thing. That woman will remember that walk the rest of her days. As will we.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!! Every time.