215

Randi and Dennis Peron @ 1444 Market Street hanging cranes

 

Had dinner with Dennis Peron and several other members of "the family" from the old days.  John Entwhistle, Richard Eastman, Doctor Stephen Ellis...a roster of historic names, historic people gathering 'round the table discussing the future of medical cannabis.

It was wonderful, incredible and at the same time a call to arms.  Prop 19 almost passed. Prop 19 would have made cannabis "legal" in California for people over 21 years of age, with a hefty bunch of restrictions, taxes and so on...but no protections for medical cannabis patients, their affordable access to medicine, or Prop 215, were included in this law.

The argument during Prop 19's campaign was that "we need to do this...we need to legalize cannabis. Period." No regard for already established law....no regard for how Prop 19 would effect medical cannabis patients' affordable accessibility.  And what shocked me most at the time was that many so-called enlightened members of the community were voting in favor of Prop 19, in spite of the flaws, exclusions and inherent dangers...why?  Because "we have to show our support."   Lame, weak, sell-out excuses.

There is a gathering in Oakland tomorrow, trying to write a new version of Prop 19. Dennis and several others are going to pass out flyers, try to make people think about what they're doing. If there is public comment, they'll speak.  I can't believe at a recent event they either wouldn't let Dennis speak, or created a ruckus after he talked.  How rude!  Dennis Peron is the LAST person who should be treated like that at a cannabis event!  Who do those people think they are?

I'm hoping to go for a bit to this thing tomorrow....we'll see how things seem in the morning.

It's late so I'm going to get some rest.

For today, Fifty Five Is The New 215...an oldie but a goodie....and an idea who's time has come, again. Happy 15th Anniversary, 215....1996-2011.  The battle rages on.

Stand

Meditation-Stand  by rcw

The global stage plays host to revolution on a massive scale, as people all over the world find reasons for taking to the streets.

Is this the beginning of a widening trend? Like the ripples on a pond after a stone's been cast, the numbers of people taking a stand increases on a daily basis.

We hear about some of it on the regular news channels here in America; I wonder how much of the "censorship" is based on the fear that this nation's citizenry might just rise up as well.

I grew up in the '60s and, like many of us baby boomers, learned what it was like to be in a protest rally. We grew accustomed to attending gatherings where people shouted and carried signs, burned draft cards (or other items depending on the rally's topic) and the like. 

I wonder if our government fears the same thing happening again.
Personally I hope we are able to come to terms with our internal affairs without bloodshed and battle; that we are a nation apart from others in that we are able to look at ourselves and figure out how to make positive change without destroying our foundations.

Taking a stand is a good thing...but one has to be careful, lest people with ulterior motives infiltrate and influence the pure, original purpose for doing so. That's an important thing to keep in mind when considering whether or not to jump into the foray.

So we watch as signs are printed and torches lit...wondering what will happen next, praying that whatever comes is not brutality and tyranny but love, honor and respect for our true inalienable rights.

For today, Fifty Five Is the New Stand....praying that the outcome is good.

World Disorder

All Shapes And Sizes   rcw

There are riots happening all over the world.  People are taking to the streets with their frustrations, rightly so, at governments and institutions that enrich themselves at the expense of the working class and the poor.
In our own country, there are many who want to riot in solidarity with those in Tunisia, Greece, Egypt....the list goes on.

I remember in the '60s, participating in several of these demonstrations.  Some were peaceful enough; a few cat-calls from passers-by but not much else.  A few were not. These included up close and personal contact between police officers in riot gear and protesters with their signs.  As an observer, I can honestly say that billy clubs and poster sticks swung sometimes in equal measure. Although a majority of us tried to go the Gandhi/MLK route of nonviolence, a few just couldn't get the concept...just couldn't grasp what we were going for....sure made for great news coverage, but not the kind of coverage we were after.

So what's going on in this world of ours today?  Everybody is so keyed up....and of course the United States is being made out to be the bad guy...the "great satan."

And truth be told, our history is full of examples of abuse, of injustice and colonialism.  Name me one nation that hasn't had these things as part of their growing process.  "Everybody's doing it" is not an excuse.  It's a sad statement about our selves as a species, that we can't overcome this need to be at odds with one another.

I believe we can.  I believe we can learn how to be humane, fair, practical, tolerant, just and compassionate.
These traits aren't foreign to our nature, just not practiced.  We have the capability within ourselves to achieve greatness, if we only try.

So for today, Fifty Five Is The New World Disorder, because that's how it feels today...like the world is sick and we need to nurse her back to health...starting with ourselves.

thoughts on homelessness

Been a month since Christmas.....we're getting lots of rain. 
I don't mind it really, in fact I enjoy the sound of the drops against our windows.  Makes me think of how fortunate we are to have a roof over our heads and warm blankets.

It may not be perfect here, but is far, far better than what many others are dealing with tonight. 

Diane and I had some experiences sleeping outside...we camped out in Golden Gate Park back then, did the whole "homeless" bit including eating at Glide and St. Anthony's (Green Meat Surprise), and even ate out of a dumpster or two when it got real bad.  We survived, but it wasn't easy, wasn't comfortable and certainly wasn't what most folks call a good quality of life.

So tonight while I'm sitting warm and safe under my blanket in my North Beach apartment, I'm led to thoughts of those less fortunate....and send prayers that they find comfort, warmth, compassion....and a way out, if they want it.

Fifty Five is the New Thoughts of Homelessness....it could happen to anyone.

Second Coming

A month since Christmas, a few weeks since the New Year....where are we going from here?
As a nation, I'm not sure. As a species?  It depends on how much we want to survive....and how many of us want to survive, too.

Some see strapping explosives to themselves and taking out an occupied public space as the road to sainthood.
They are convinced of this by not-so-hidden forces and celebrated for their courage. In some cases, their families are given something for the trouble too.
But what does it serve? 

Fractal Gateway by rcw

There are those who say these things are proof that the Second Imam is coming, or that it means the Second Coming of Christ is at hand, or that it means the Mayan Calendar is correct and we are in the End of Days.

I wonder if some power-seeking groups of people haven't just read all the books and predictions and decided to use their portents to bring about their own revolution.

Folks like Glenn Beck have examined that question and frighteningly enough some of their observations have a ring of possibility about them.

As for me? I don't know. We humans are capable of many things, both beautiful and brutal. Put under the microscope, I'd say it's a little bit of both.

For today, Fifty Five Is The New Second Coming...what ever it is, it's bound to be interesting.

Contemplation on Guests

Peacock Feather Fantasy  by rcw

Morning after our friends left...I miss Jan and Vincent already. They are such dear souls.
We had a good time though, and even went for a drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Beach then the Marin Headlands before bidding farewell 'til next time.

It was a wonderful, sunny day....perfect surf, sun and company. Some people are no trouble at all as guests; they have an ease about them...they enjoy things like cooking together (cooking together is one of my passions!) making music and conversation...those kind of visits aren't draining emotionally or physically.

We've had visitors who require constant attention; it's almost like having a baby or young child rather than an adult on hand.  I won't name names, and it's been a while between these kinds of guests-by choice.  After a visit like that, Jack and I (and even the cat) are worn out for days.  We just can't do it any more.

It's moments like that when pulling the Senior Card pays off, as in "We really don't entertain like we used to these days; it takes too much out of us."

Perhaps admitting this on such a public forum is bad form; some folks who've not been invited back to stay for the weekend at our house may wonder if they are on that list of "High Maintenance Folk"   Oh well  We love to make guests feel comfortable and welcome....but here is a difference between hospitality and servitude.

If you've been in touch and we've invited you to stay, you're probably not one of those high maintenance folk.
.
If you've been in touch and we don't invite you for the weekend because we don't entertain like we used to, no offense but we really don't entertain like we used to these days. Just takes too much out of us. 

But Jan and Vincent among several other dear friends, are always invited, and we can't wait to see them again.

So for today, Fifty Five Is The New Contemplation on Guests...missing Jan and Vincent...wishing to see them again.

Information Station

"....And now for the news."  Isn't that how folks like David Brinkley used to begin it?  The day's events brought to you by a trusted face and a well known brand of tooth paste.  They still do it that way, although I sometimes wonder just how much of what's being reported is the true and complete story.

The media is more and more controlled by the commercial interest, it seems so at any rate.  The news most particularly seems to have fallen under the weight of their sponsors' desires. Especially since many of these sponsors are also owned or chaired or supported by persons with lots of money to throw around and lots of things they want to have done.

No network is immune to this problem....not public broadcasting, not the sacred cows (NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, MS NBC, etc.). I wonder where we can get the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

I've taken to watching Fox News Network as a form of balance....listening to all sides, checking my own facts, making up my own mind.  Some folks I know probably think I'm a traitor, but no.  True open mindedness means that there's a willingness to look at all points of view thereby making an informed decision on a thing, idea, concept or news story.

If that's not the popular way to do things, so be it!  It's my way of doing things.....that's it, that's all.

So for today, Fifty Five Is The New Information Station....and boy do we need some! Clear and unbiased and untethered by political or commercial constraints.