We Ride Bikes

El Pocho Abogado

A buddy of mine keeps an interesting blog about his work as an attorney here in Portland. Some of the stuff is really funny. Some of it is a little sad. Yesterday's post was probably one of my favorites. He puts the Alberto Gonzalez situation into perspective in a way that I haven't quite been able to express. I've been trying to make it clear in my head before I write about it here.

He, however, hits the nail right on the head. So do me a favor, go read it. Try not to dismiss it right away (Aaron!).

El Pocho Abogado

Found

There's a magazine called Found. They collect things. People find things on the streets, in dumpsters, in old houses and send them to Found. They then publish them in a magazine and on the internet. It's incredible. Some of the stuff is sad; some of it is funny. A lot of it just makes you stop and think--about someone's life and what it must've been like.

One of the finds of the day a while back was a page from a calendar book. One that you reuse every year and put important yearly events on each day so that you know when your cousin's birthday is or whatever. I could barely make out the handwriting, but the caption that came with it explained further. Anyway, I was particularly touched by this particular one.

 

For March 22:

"Joe was buried today. My world has collapsed no use in living But Life goes on God have mercy on him."

It belonged to an old woman who had presumably passed away recently. Other personal items, including a handwritten joke book, a funeral register, and a sheet of paper that listed all her medical conditions were nearby. This book is several decades old. The cover says "Birthdays" and is re-bound with tape. Other than birthdays, she recorded facts from her life, when each of her friends died, anniversaries, the circumstances of her pet's death, surgeries, etc. I found this page, where she notes her husband's burial particularly heartbreaking, as she retraced her own words repeatedly.

Some days...

I don't really know where I was going with this. I saw this find on Found, and wanted to share it.

After finals

I cannot wait to:

• do laundry;
• read something other than an outline, E&E, case , etc.;
• sit in the sun;
• start my job(s);
• go to brunch on the weekends and not worry about what else I should be doing;
• clean out my email inbox (1689 and counting...the bulk of which are from March and April);
• have a regular weekly schedule;
• more days like today.

Unlearn

A couple of weeks ago I was visiting a friend and we were sitting on his back patio enjoying the cool evening. As the sun was setting I walked to a nearby convenience store to pick up a couple of things. On my way back, I found myself on the horns of a dilemma.

As you read this, keep in mind that I was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and jeans.

I was walking on the sidewalk of a residential neighborhood street which was lined with trees and other tall plants. Coming towards me on the same sidewalk is a woman jogging alone. I know, almost immediately, that she is apprehensive of my presence. It's dark. The street is rather dark, and I've got my hood up because it's cold. Now, do I cross the street quickly hoping to put her at ease but risk being out her line of sight, thus raising (more?) suspicion? Do I stay on the same sidewalk and just pass her without doing anything?

In the blink of an eye I have to decide what to do so that she does not view me as a threat.

I decided to stop under a street light and step aside so that she can pass me. At this point, I tried to make eye contact and smile apologetically. She said, "thanks" and kept jogging. I stepped back into the sidewalk and went on my way.

Looking back, it probably wasn't as big of a deal as I made it, but in this society where we warn women about getting attacked, rather than raising men who don't attack I feel an obligation to make my intentions clear.

I fully understand that I don't have it all figured out. I am constantly reevaluating my behavior. When I put my arm on the back of the booth, am I claiming that space as mine as men are wont to do? Are my expectations for my friends different based on their gender and/or race? Do I make assumptions about the people with whom I interact based on their percieved gender and/or race?

I have a tattoo that reads simply, "unlearned" about how we have to continue to unlearn the societal constructions that are, in a word, false. Most people assume it's a destination which I'm claiming to have reached. It's not. It's a goal. It's a journey. It's about working everyday to end the hatred that permeates every facet of our society.

May Day Riots in LA

I wish I could say that this sort of behavior by police surprised me.
I wish I could say that we were able to exercise our rights to free speech.
I wish I could say that this sort of thing was out of the ordinary.
I wish I could do more.