I sometimes forget that some of the best of our ideas come from “young ones.” I mean, I think I peaked in terms of insight at 17, so why not Aaron Swartz a young blogger (16?, 17?) with some great ideas. Recently, he posted a good, though I bet to some controversial recommendation on a way to get a “left” message out in the news in an effective, mass-media, fighting fire-with-fire sort of way. Now we need someone like Oprah to become a leftie, have her invest her trillions of dollars in a left leaning, sensationalist news show, be the host, and hook the American public on the evils of economic, social, and poltiical oppresion…

I have been on the move lately, like any good sato should do. But this sato has had a bit of sensory overload since my trip to NYC which was, in the words of Bill and Ted, Excellent! The pugs, the Jewish Hospitality (thanks Andy), the great weather, the swirling spring flowers blowing in the wind, the weird window displays and sinage, the friends, food, new friends, blah, blah, blah. The city stimulates, tires, and revives you all at once. I was happily surprised that they have unlimited fares on the subway and dissapointed that they were raised while I was there. I was also surprised by all the organic and vegetarian food places, especially in the east village, which seemed to far outpass the # here in SF which is supposed to be a hot spot for such culinary delights. I guess the fact that there are a bazillion places to eat in NYC makes a difference.

Back here things have slowed down but last night I saw two good movies at this cool little “home cooked” movie theatre in the Richmond, the “4 Star” at 2200 Clement street (corner of 23rd avenue), which offers a double feature for $7:50. Not bad. Last night I saw Amandala and City of God. Both are about the human, cultural response to violence and struggle, and both are worth watching…

Today, I was overloaded with another type of stimulus, that of permaculture in Marin. The garden/farm, whatever you want to call it was remarkable: the depth, the height, the sustainability, the beauty, the diversity, the recycled nature of it all. I mean, there was everything in that little plot of land from the tastiest guava flowers and rasberries, to comfrey, walnuts, apples, pears, every imaginable lettuce and herb, endless flowers, and on and on. If you ever have a chance to go see a permaculture farm, go! It will blow your mind away. It was by far the most three dimensional farming I have seen…

My trip to NYC is nearly wrapping up and I have much more to write about it but I am simply wiped so I can only write a sentence or two. The trip has been great so far with lots of good weather, lots of socializing, and an abundance of pugs. I think that “Men in Black” had an impact on the pug population in the city because it is HIGH, proved by the number of people enrolled in the pug meet-up in the city. I have seen a lifetime of “pug situations” since I have been here. Strange. But more strange is da bomb squad which is right around the corner from where I am staying. Soon, they will need a “pug squad” when the pug population gets too high (about 9 more months perhaps??)