Wow Culebra Sunday

Yesterday was a strange day, in the 'sit back in your chair with your forefinger under your chin saying Huh' kind of way. The news in my world was dominated by the events that have taken, and are taking place on the UC Davis campus. You know the one. Not having television and watching youtube clips, it might have more impact on me, seeing it as a single event and not an endless news loop, surrounded by the other crazy news that blasts the brains.

The peace in my world was dominated by a walk I took to town, a slow, intentional, get away from the horrors for awhile walk; to take photos on a windy day of blue skies and bluer water, to pick up some library books (on Sunday, the library is closed, but the free books on the deck are there for the taking), and somehow work a Sunday Bloody Mary into the mix at Dinghy Dock. All goals were accomplished. And more.

Mangroves

Another point of view

Baby iguana...so green!

My kinda town

About half way to town, a friend of mine, who was also in a Sunday Bloody sort of mood, drove by and we drove to town, with a pit stop at the library and on the Dinghy Dock, where Sausage and Football Sunday was just getting under way. Steve made up some great Bloody Mary's, talk was of the changing weather and football.

Crash number dos

It was then we noticed a sailboat acting sort of crazy 100 feet away from us. Under a full mainsail, they first hit one sailboat, then spun around and hit a dock. Apparently realizing they had little control over the boat, the mainsail was dropped and a little outboard engine was started. And re-started. And re-started, to get them off the dock. Another attempt was made to...do what? We all watched in dis-belief as they charged BACK to the original hit sailboat, and, as the owner in the stern was aware, came right back and into him again. No fenders out. Once again starting the engine that had failed, they charged away from that boat, spun in a circle and headed for the public dock, going around the end and over to the other side, where they apparently were going to raft up to a boat already tied up. At that point, a guy in the bar who is staying on that boat took off running. Before he got back, the sailboat was once again in motion. Out away from the dock, another spin and heading right toward the end of the dock. They did manage to get a fender out and tied up side to. When Dan (the guy from the sailboat) got back, we asked what the deal was. The deal was...it was some people from Fajardo and the 'captain' was very drunk. What a surprise! 

About ten minutes later, three agency boats, the Coast Guard, DRN, and Customs, were roaring around the harbor, AFTER the main event was over of course, with the happily unaware pin ball wizard of a captain out of any chance of being apprehended. Where are the cops when you need them was so perfectly the cliche... After a minute or two, they headed out toward Dakity. I didn't find out what that was about, which is not a bad thing.

After a jalapeno mango sausage, accompanied by beverages, I'd had about all the distraction I thought I needed and headed home, my entertainment quota almost overfull.

Waiting for me in email was one of the more powerful videos I've seen of the whole Occupy movement. In context, UC Davis students are calling for the resignation of Chancellor Katehi  (you can read the explanation from a junior faculty member and sign the petition here). As Chancellor Katehi was getting ready to leave the building, the students and faculty formed a line, sat down and linked arms, from the building to her car. Here is how it went.

I've probably watched this five or six times now and the pressure in my chest is the same each time. It isn't chills, it isn't teary...it is awe. This is how things should be done. 

No cause is left but the most ancient of all, the one, in fact, that from the beginning of our history has determined the very existence of politics, the cause of freedom versus tyranny.

--Hannah Arendt

Have a motivated Monday. Do something. Just do something.