The potato called from underground, "You've got it all turned upside down"

I'm in Philadelphia right now. I love it. I want to see so much more of the city.

Tonight we followed Google Maps to the nearest Wal-Mart. It led is directly into the ghetto instead.

Houses were side by side

by side by side.

Everything was so compact.

People were EVERYWHERE. On their porches, in their yard, walking. At one point, we literally drove through a group of 50 people, as they parted, all standing on the corner and the middle of the street.

Just hangin' out.

That was community. I absolutely loved seeing that. People outside and everywhere instead of inside and nowhere.

I absolutely hate suburbs and mowed lawns . . . thats what I learned.

We stopped at a gas station that, I kid you not, had 4 police cars and 2 police bicycles.

Just hangin' out.

But a different kind of community . . .

Inside a guy from the neighborhood and the middle eastern gas station clerk laughed as we showed them where google maps took us.

"Man, that sheet of paper played a cruel joke on you, it led you right to the ghetto" said one guy.

"No Wal-Mart around here" said the clerk.

Surprisingly, they took a whole 10 minutes (While the line backed up) doing everything they could to give us directions to the nearest Wal-Mart. They were in no hurry. Neither was anyone else. They explained and explained and explained.

I loved that too.

I probably don't even need to write anything else

The world of bumper stickers is an interesting one.

How you can tell so much about someone from what there bumper says.

Like this one that I saw today:



Now normally I just cringe and make fun of it to the person(s) I'm in the car with, or think about the innate cheesyness of all bumper stickers to myself if I'm the only one in the car.

However, this one just left me stunned.

To think, this young man had to see this bumper sticker, like it enough to buy it and then go through the process of applying it without it ever dawning on him that it was incredibly lame (and ignorant in my opinion). That is unreal. I also am curious as to which 30 states McCain supporters don't think deserve a star on the flag.

Anyway, In case youre interested in a T-shirt and Coffee Mug, these products are apparently still in demand. But hey, I don't see a year, so maybe McCain in 2012?

In case you were wondering, yes this was on a giant ford F350 Triton XLT with huge wheels and a driver with a his hat backwards and a cut off sleeveless T-shirt.

I got a walnut brownie brain
And molasses in my veins,
Crushed graham cracker crust,
My powdered sugared funnel cake cocaine.
Let the crescent cookie rise,
These carob colored almond eyes,
Would rest to see my cashewed princess,
In the swirling marble sky.
Will rest upon the knee,
Where all of the visions cease to be,
A root-beer float,
In our banana boat,
Across the tapioca sea,
When letting all attachments go,
Is the only prayer we know,
May it be so,
May it be so,
May it be so,
Oh.

Easter Sunday

Whoops, this has been awhile, but . . .

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On this holy Sunday night I arrive to a home
that feels emptier than the grave of my
savior. I sit and look around.
I think of all my plans.
I stare--
But how little I have to do now.

It’s rainy today. At least it isn’t snow.
It always “could have been snow”.
“February was a warmer month than usual”,
I think out loud as
I shiver in my skin.
I look around.
“It could always have been snow”, I think
sheepishly to myself.

Jesus left the tomb for paradise today,
and a thief went with him.
But I still wonder where I came from?
And why did I go?
But I always ask that question.
And silent walls never answer, no
matter their color.