Extract from Expect Resistance by Crimethinc

I would like to be someone with whom no one would be ashamed of any part of themselves. I would like to be able to regard the actions of others without feeling threatened or becoming defensive, even when they are defensive with me- to see others in the context of their lives, not my own. I would like to know how to set the right limits on how far I trust others, so I never risk losing my respect for them or my ability to trust. I would like to be able to look those adversaries who should be allies and say Like it or not, this is who I am. This is what the world has made of me, and we must all live with the consequences. I can't change the decades of life behind me that have wrought this, only take responsibility for what I am and what I do. I don't want to compete with you for moral high ground or anything else. Unless you're prepared to kill everyone who doesn't live up to your standards or else endure this impasse indefinetely, you're going to have to accept me on my own terms, as I hope to accept you. You are responsible as I am for making what goes on between us positive for us both- or for the world of strife we will suffer in otherwise.

Reclaim the Streets

The strangest thing happened recently! I just happened to be wandering up Shop Street when I saw that people were setting up Food Not Bombs, a Really Really Free Market, and having loads of fun & games on a really busy pedestrianised street. Intriuged, I offered to help out.

People were playing Twister in the middle of the street, there was capoiera going on close by. Chalk was distributed for people to write their own messages on the street. People wrote things like 'I've learned to live with a little money and I'm happy', 'You are beautiful', and 'Leave us be'. People showed great creativity. There was also big canvas sheets where people drew stuff on with markers. There was lots of people around just chatting, eating food, and skipping. I was helping out with Food Not Bombs, and it was great seeing the look of astonishment on peoples faces when you told them that yes, the food was free, perfectly edible, and there was no strings attached. Unfortunately after a while the "authorities" arrived. They didn't like that we weren't on the street to buy stuff and to make corporations richer. They really didn't like that we were actually having fun, and insisted that we pack up and leave. Eventually it started to rain, which was actually great because loads of people, me included, began dancing in the rain!

It lasted for several hours, and I think a message got out there. Feck money! These are our streets, not the corporations, and the streets do not exist solely to consume. Another world really is possible.

Dublin

I was up in Dublin recently to visit one of my closest friends. I had a great time in Dublin. The weather was nice (which was good because Dublin is HORRIBLE when it is raining). Normally I hate Dublin. It is a frickin' horrible, ugly city thats all grey and with a stupid spike (sometimes called the Spire) in the middle of it. The only time I like is when I'm up there with friends, going to see gigs, usually in Eamonn Doran's in Temple Bar. This was one of the few times I liked being in Dublin. We wandered around the city, catching up on each others news. We went to St. Stephen's Green, and sat there for ages. I hadn't been in there since I was 11. Strange, I'd forgotten how beautiful the place is...

1. There is some pretty cool graffiti in Temple Bar.

2. Love is blind- it was on a wall of the Liffey. It's true...

3. My friend N. and I spent ages in St. Stephen's Green.

4. Cool dumpster in Temple Bar.