One of the most common responses to the thought of wide spread Anarchy by those who've made it past the anarchy=chaos misconception is that of the lowly trashman.  "But who'd take out the trash" if we were all free to do what we wanted, who on earth would choose to be the trashman or the sewer worker, you know.. the shit jobs.  I've heard this arguement often and I finally have an answer.  .... I would.

I have met many Rainbows over the years volunteering with one disaster or another; some standing up for your rights on a street corner but I had never made it to a Gathering "on time".   2008 saw a valiant attempt to make it to Wyoming but our side trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation left the bus sabotaged and we spent the week of the Gathering waiting for a part we didn't even need.   So this year I found a random ride home, on Facebook.

Going in I envisioned prolonged down time and hanging out with people I knew but that's not how it played out.  Turns out my friends seem to be the ones that ... do the work.. and we "hung out" mostly in passing as we went about our "work" daze.

Instead of camping with pregathering friends I decided to stick with the 3 random strangers I'd shared a van with for the 5 day journey that we all thought was to be 3.  There were no mechanical problems; we just stopped every hour or 2 and the van was too cramped  for comfortable napping.  It was a bit frustrating for me to take 5 days to drive a distance I've done alone in 2 &1/2 but it was the 1st time I ever road tripped somewhere and did not drive so that was way different and certainly a bonding experience.  ;~)

above:  Student & Teacher rejoice at the empowerment of SafeHouse. 
The signs say Thank You Paulette Giguere, OSBG Loves You, and ...heart Archy

Just over 5 years ago I sat where I now sit, at Mojo's in the French Quarter, gazing deeply into the screen of my newly donated computer "SafeHouse".  I would oftren come to Mojo's to get away from the voluteer camps so I could work online undisturbed.  At the time there were very few places open, even fewer with food;  Mojo's became my SafeHouse from post Katrina hardship.  When I arrived in New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina I began shooting footage immediatly but lacked a computer that was capable of editing video.  My hero Paulette Giguere recognized a need and donated my first Mac to the cause of supporting the New Olreans Anarchist emergency response efforts and allowed me the tools necessary to cover this important period in our history.

4 long hard road years later SafeHouse was just not keeping up with my media demands and I upgraded.  I've been carrying SafeHouse around for about a year, loaning it out to varioous events and causes.  Today SafeHouse found it's new home and casue, also here in New Orleans.  Our School at Blair Grocery is an alternative school and urban farm in the lower 9th ward .  At OSBG they are teaching at risk lower 9th ward youth not only the answers to the tests they'll need to take to graduate but more importantly they are teaching the youth to think and giving them the skills to feed themselves and orgainze within their neighborhood to thrive against the challenges present here.  The gangs, unemployment, violence and police state that threatens at time to take over these blighted blank slabs and falling down 'hoods are an easy trap for youth with  few alternatives.  OSBG gives these alternatives and is creating the space for these youth to grow healthy in mind and body by employing them in the gardens and empowering them to be the next generation of leaders.

A Peace of the Anarchy is a quick summary of 20th century radical activism in the USA with a notable focus on the pacifist christian anarchist Ammon Hennacy. Folks from the War Resisters League, the IWW, Earth First! and the Catholic Worker, along with Mr. Hennacy exemplify the marginalized prophetic witness for peace and justice in the USA as they attempt to appeal to the dominant culture. These people speak on the benefits of anarchy and peace, following the radical (rooted/basically grounded) ideology and optimism that goodness will overcome evil, love is superior to hate and truth trumps falsehood.

http://lovarchy.org

Guido gives us the run down on the youth organizing principles at
play in the collaborative efforts of Our School at Blair Grocery, New
York to New Orleans Coalition and the Youth Coalition for Community
Action. ~ download

http://www.ourschoolatblairgrocery.org
http://www.ny2no.org
http://youthcoalition.webs.com

Go to this if you're in NYC. 
I'd tell you when to go to see my work but that info is being given on a need to know basis and apparently no one needs to know.  It's very Anarchic.  "~)

slightly more info here

Download
During my afternoon of running from ear drum piercing sonic weapons and tear gas canisters while being chased in circles by dog and baton wielding cops in working class neighborhoods miles from the convention center I had the opportunity to talk to a lot of locals.  Here's what they said ... with a small dose of riot porn on the side.

Multiple simultaneous marches bring attention to the affairs of the World Bank & International Monetary Fund. It was all fun and games until somebody put an eye out. Includes critical visual analysis of why it turned so ugly so fast.

Download ~ Embed ~ YouTube

more info @ http://www.globaljusticeaction.org

The first SantaCon ever, 1998(?) NYC.
Merry Christmas from Team Spider. on U2B

...it was 3 days long

NYAF ~ Today

NO Anarchist Action: Direct Solidarity in Post Katrina Hurricane Zones

Download here | Bandwidth challenged hereThis is a compilation of 10 action related videos from the Hurricane Relief Series assembled specifically for screening at the New York Anarchist Film Festival. Other videos you might recognize will also be screening: Get That Camera!, Mandate?, Watch This! and 50 Shots an a Mule.

These films will be screened Friday between approximately 5-7 pm
@ #9 Bleecker Street (The Yippie Museum).

Saturday I will be speaking on a Josh Wolf/Free the Media panel in conjuction with the Anarchist Bookfair. The freshly squeezed Josh Wolf will be joining us via video chat from San Francisco.

BLUESTOCKINGS BOOKSTORE –
Saturday, April 14th @ 7PM -
$5 Suggested towards Josh's legal defense fund (no one will be turned
away for lack of funds)
172 Allen Street between Stanton and Rivington

Saturday Night GBC & the International DJ Guild will be hosting a large group of aliens planning to invade New York, please join us.