current soundtrack

delayed

we all went to oaxaca at the beginning of the month. i came back after ten days and ruth and the boys were going to stay on another ten days. they canceled their flight today and rescheduled it for monday because ruth came down with salmonella food poisoning. hope with me that she will recover in time for her travels, that the boys won't get sick and that home will soon feel like home with their return.

grease and manhood

as a non-mechanic, there is something profoundly gratifying and affirming about successfully getting your dead car back on the road again. two years ago i did the alternator on my toyota tercell and it was an easy job, two wires and two bolts, no problem. a honda alternator has two wires and two bolts as well, so i took those off, no problem. the only difference is the alternator on the honda is located deep inside the engine and once i got the part removed, i could not get it out. it was like a kid in juvy. the internet said either the break master cylinder or the right-driver axle had to be removed- categories i don't operate in. but one guy online said it was possible another way- so a tire, a plastic casing that covers the belts, other random wires, a brackets later and lots of screws later... i houdinied the thing out through the bottom. some people get grease up to their elbows when they work on their cars; i was washing it out of my armpits when i was done. needless to say, the job took me 4 hrs and she fired right up. i just wanted to tell the whole world- the guys from "car talk" would be proud.

Oaxaca Uprising: left-over street art

This is my first time back in my hometown of Oaxaca since the riots last year. Most everything is put back together and most of the graffiti has been covered up. But not all of it. I've been struck with the creative drive that lies at the heart of any movement that desires change, even if it becomes destructive. On the other hand, there is little creative inspiration rising from those who desire to maintain power and control. These political posters and street-art are a visual feast. Keep checking this web-album, I'll try to add more as I stumble upon them.
"Oaxaca no esta en Paz"

hiatus

gone to oaxaca. be back in 10 days.