Throw the Bastards out!

Plato wasn't that into Democracy. In fact he thought it would lead to Mob rule. Which it has, it just so happens that THIS time the ugly mob and my inner ugly mob have the same goals. Throw 'em out. Of course I am also voting FOR Obama this time, but you see my point. I was thinking then, the real problem in America...we need to align our devils. You know synchronize our hatreds a little better! But for now I am hoping for a happy end on Tuesday. I mean it could be over at 8pm on Tues if Florida goes Obama (oh come on you Floridians...you crazy guys...do something really revolutionary and make this election a clean win!) But more likely it will draw out but shall see. The public feeling is throw them out. So it's their chance. Prop 8 is another thing, for another post. I am holding out hope for a failure there.

Well today on to Dawn of the Dead exhibit at Oakland Museum. A tradition of mine to make it every year.

More Plunders than meets the eye

Last night I saw Laura Nader, Ralph's' sister speak. She is a Anthropology prof here on campus and has written a book called "Plunder, when the rule of law is illegal"
Well I admit some prejudice, as I am annoyed with her brother. BUT I was VERY impressed. She spoke of how we use the term "Rule of law", that these countries "lack" rule of law, as "legal" reason to invade countries, but this term is not defined. Even at Bolt Law school it's not defined. Wow. For instance, we say Afghanistan doesn't have a rule of law, but in fact they have all kinds of laws. Iraq too. And then the fact is we are lawless in our actions of putting "rules of law" into these countries. A Bolt student was there which was really cool, really asking great questions. Maybe the future of lawless is waning. Some interesting facts, Columbus brought a notary on his voyage to legally take over the lands he was invading too. A notary? how funny... Anyway, I now want to read the book. Just put it on hold at library. She also talked of things that we are doing that are like the beginning of fascism which I knew about before too.

She also spoke of how the college is dead. Sigh, things I knew but she articulated. For instance Kroeber Hall, where this talk took place used to be full of Profs and students in the 60s discussing all kinds of things. Now you just don't see that. It's a caste system. Some people don't talk to "others" anymore. Also how you could use any campus space to have groups meet, now you have to pay. Sigh. That one literally hurt, I almost cried, cause this fight for space is so disheartening on campus. She said a couple of Phd students are writing their dissertations on this, one reason is that Cal went corporate-it's a lot of things I think. People are more in fear of not having a pay check eventually. Things like that, it's simply harder to live now, which might be due to the corporate addition. I dunno, but I certainly want to look now.

I skipped the news today oh boy

Ok, I am weak. I can't take it anymore. So I am off the news for a bit. I am just going to do my research about the propositions and that's that until Tues. I literally can't take it. No Lehrer hour or non entertainment Charlie Rose. I am on overload. I can't listen to more pundits. I didn't even watch Stewart or Colbert. This is it, I am done. Until Tues of course. Then I will glue to TV and whatever. Luckily I have yoga that night beforehand.

My Trip Redux

So I had a great little 48 hour trip. First to Steinbeck House in Salinas. Quaint lovely Victorian that has a lunch. I arrived early so I was ok, but you really should make reservations. I barely got in there. So I am having my crepes (their set menu dish...very good) when I hear some ranting. it turns out a patron didn't like her table. So at first I wanted to hide, I had a great table. But I thought I am in Steinbeck country. he would say "Oh Carol...just offer to let the blow hard woman sit with you, experience some REAL life" So I did. She was happy, but did proceed to go on and on about herself. I managed to extradite myself from her company and leave however, happy to escape. I imagined Tom Joad saying "Where you see someone happy to get away from blow hard woman...I am there"

Next to Steinbeck museum, where you are greeted by his likeness: It was a journey through his works, and life. They have films of actors reading excerpts. They also have scenes from film versions of his books.

Including quotes of his. This is a part of a quote where he talks about how in the 60s he saw people getting more and more house bound and starting to "look for their souls from their couches" Of course after the exhibit I ended up going back to the motel and watching "ET" so who am I to judge but he makes a powerful point.


Then a favorite part, the actual car/van he drove around in for "Travels with Charley" Not sure if you can see it but there is a fake standard poodle in the front seat. Anyways, I love Travels, I read it when I took a month long train trip around the US in 96. I love how this older guy wanted to get back in touch.

that evening I decided I was too stuffed for dinner so cruised the real Salinas for munchies and landed at a market where English was second language and got some fruit etc. I also noted a large Obama headquarters right there. I know it's mostly Florida Hispanics people thought wouldn't want to vote for him, but it was still great to see their enthusiasm. They were outside with signs honk for Obama.

Next day I went to 17 Mile drive in the morning, rather early. And the local station was playing "Acoustic Sunday" acoustic versions of songs so I got to hear Bruce's Thunder Road on my drive. And it was gorgeous as usual. Then on to Aquarium. You know there are just special things in this world and this is one of them. What an inspiring place. I ended up getting misty in the Kelp Forest, it was so beautiful and they play that manipulative music in that area (those bastards...) Reminds one as long as you can look at something like this, things are ok:


I also caught them feeding the Penguins which was neat. And love those jelly fish
They apparently don't treat their water. There was something comfortable hearing that, that we haven't ruined that water enough so they just use it in their displays. I saw a presentation about deep water fish, the ones who have the glow in the dark things.

Then time to head home, stopped at V and T's for dinner and enjoyed the lovely company and the Halloween displays in their neighborhood.

So my wonderful, nice, fun, super cool adventure. Now back to reality and C++ and Python and too many political ads.