(no subject)

Today I met a grad student who took 2 years off between the first two semesters of grad school to build houses in the middle of America via Americorps. I thought that was pretty awesome.

shooting

I was just remarking to Bree this afternoon, I think the crime here goes like the temperature.

No account of the Race Riots of '64 seems to miss mention of the temperature, as if the hot hot days inspired hot blood, as if the heat had been building up behind a dam and then it all burst forth.

Today was by meteorological accounts the first Spring day. It was joyous and free. I bicycled through rain and ate ice cream. The temperature hit 77.

This evening I found myself inside the crime scene, surrounded by yellow tape and cop cruisers, lights flashing everywhere. Two shots from a car that then sped off. a man on the ground being put on a stretcher. Right on the steps of the Lucky 7 minimart, at Jefferson and South Plymouth. With spring comes the shooting season.

A police officer politely took my name, age, and address.

A friend from the neighborhood association heard the shots, came outside. Saw me sitting on the curb, came over to talk. Said we'd gotten a grant for a public art piece. Offered me iced tea.

ensenada roadtrip -- summer 2004

Beach camp, somewhere near Ensenada, Mexico. June 26, 2004.

From the roadtrip where barks and I met four and Jason Corona.