(40MB, QT) view on Vimeo here
Last night as I was walking towards downtown I came across some live music at this nice-looking store that just opened in my neighborhood. The band was The Righteous and Harmonious Fists, of which I have heard but not seen. They were really fun live, just simple and happy, and quite beautiful. I love it when people can translate and minimize their recorded work into something cohesive to their musical values but consists of almost entirely different musical sounds. I suggest you check them out. They had some tracks available but I was without cash. Also ran into homeslices Jona & Claire, who were in dire need of ice cream.
I made it downtown and hung out with my good friend Timothy and his family and some other acquaintances (testing out our new agency Wii). Calling it an early night, Tim agreed to give us a ride home. About two blocks after we pulled out from his parking space we were pulled over by the police. A convincing sticker on the squad car read "Gang Enforcement." Apparently Tim's taillights had been out, and after the usual sorting through papers and ID cards the cop pointed his flashlight at me and said "so, you, in the passenger seat, can I talk to you outside for a bit?" ..... outside the car he began the usual routine of asking me how much I'd had to drink (3 beers) and if I had been smoking marijuana. I told him that I don't smoke marijuana and asked him what he was getting at. "Your eyelids look pretty droopy and your pupils are WAY dilated", he replied. I started laughing, and you could tell that he was perturbed by my response. he went on to explain that the drug enforcement students were having a training exercise downtown and if I could SWING by so they could run some tests on me they could "hook me up with some food and smokes and stuff". WTF????? at this point I was openly laughing and just couldn't believe the situation. I explained once again that I don't smoke and that what I really wanted to do was go home. He tried to give me a hard time by explaining to the other carmates that I didn't want to go spend a couple of hours in some fluorescent hell room full of cops while they poke and prod me (but at least there's FOOD AND SMOKES). I got back in the car and we drove off. what a weird time we are in. so many assumptions are made, so quickly. maybe this charade is necessary for police, but for me I just felt weird about it. I can't imagine what it's like to assume that everybody on the street is the enemy.
this clip above makes me feel better about it..... gives me some semblance of hope for future generations. maybe we'll be safe after all.