By the People, For the People...

I saw The Corporation tonight. See it if you possibly can. It both depresses and inspires, frightens and empowers.

You've got to vote, even if it seems ironic or useless to you. They don't listen to individuals, or even large groups of people, if those blocks don't vote. But...don't believe too much of what they say, either. (Did you know just how staged these debates are?) (Do you know how few people aged 18-36 vote, and 22 million women didn't vote in the last election? WTF? No wonder our reproductive rights are in danger.)

From the Front Porch

City Stories

This is one of those sites probably everybody knows about but me. I just discovered The City Stories Project, which lists stories, duh, by city: San Francisco, Seattle, Amsterdam. The creator says, "It's somewhere in between a personal journal and a city guide. It's a series of personal stories where the city itself becomes a character in your story....This project is about telling your own personal true stories of life in your city."

You can still start your own, if your city, like mine, isn't yet listed.

Back in the B-lo

Here's some pics and tales from my trip.

Got To have Kaya Now

I am in A'dam at an internet cafe, arrived this afternoon after a peaceful crossing. It's to be cooler & windier later, but hopefully will have blown over by the time I go back to London. Work went well, and I've seen a good deal of my friend Hasok and his wife Gretchen.

Overhead is playing REM's "Losing My Religion", loud, and it sounds great. Already tonight, all over the neghborhood I've heard "Walkin On Sunshine", "rosanna", "Kaya", and Billy Joel's "Goodnight Saigon."

This is the dirtiest mouse and keyboard I've ever used. It just gross. But, I have to say the internet cafes seem to know what a traveller needs. There's the sense that the Netherlands is freshly using the internet culture. I'm not sure how rapid uptake was here; I'll have to find out.

I'm staying right off Leidesplaan and there's plenty going on; feels like Bourbon Street in New Orlans. In fact, there's a club across the street from my hotel by that name, and I may stop in to the open jam tonight before I crash.

I'm deeply tired from travelling, and am trying to relax more. My ankles are killing me, yo.

Off more more sightings of the lights over the canals....

Pounds and Pence

I am in London. Arrived a day late due to the flight out of DC having no pilot, but was warmly met by Hasok and Gretchen, who tucked me in very late on a weeknight. I am still jetlagged, two days later, but it is getting better as my shin splints worsen.

I'm staying in Camden Town, and like it very much. There's even wireless connectivity at my hotel, though I must sit on the floor against the door of my room to keep it steady. WNY/10KM references are everywhere, as I wander Jamestown Road into Buck Street....In the Egyptian Hall of the British Museum, which I loved, I met a German guy wearing a Manowar t-shirt. Turned out he was a session plater with them, as is/was my drinking/brunch buddy/neighbor Joe Rozler. I tried to ask if he knew Joe, but he wasn't too friendly, so I let it go by..."Tell them Joe says 'hi'...."

Besides the work I came to do, I've had some lovely food, cooled out in the British Museum, and climbed Primrose Hill to catch a bit of the sunset in the wind. It reminded me of Fort Mason in San Francisco.

London's hardly my father's hometown anymore, and seems a very different place from when I visited in 1986--faster, more American, more international. I'm more worldly as well, but I think it's more a reflection of how worldly all the world has become.

Tonight it is the same temperature in Buffalo as it is in Amsterdam. Pictures are coming as soon as I can locate my USB cord.

Sister Europe

On Monday, I fly to London, England for a ten-day stay. Some business, some pleasure, old friends and new friends. I'm also planning to catch glimpses of Stonehenge and Glastonbury. I'd been planning a jaunt to Amsterdam, too, but suddenly found most hotel rooms were booked for those days. Bummer.

It's been 17 years since I visited England, for the first and last time. I was 17. I went on a six-week trip with my father and my first boyfriend (Bob, get in touch, wouldja?). Never, never do this. But I still had an amazing trip, and loved London particularly, my Dad's hometown (Balham, actually). Look for me to be kicking around Camden Town, checking out live music. Out of my brain on the 5:15....

Catch you on the flip side.

Welcome, Daze Reader readers!