that countdown never did continue...

well, it's been a while since Good Rocky and I have had a little chat, but something about today is making me feel a little blog-ish. (Don't fret, I usually give up about half way through, so while at the moment I feel a small novel of fragmented thought coming on...in about 10 minutes I will not be surprised if I hit "save as draft" and never return...) It could've been the delightfully warm and windy walk home from school, it could be the empty apartment, it could be Led Zeppelin...nevertheless, today, I feel the need to articulate something.

But I'm not sure where to begin. classic. this is the point i usually give up at.

Well, I think the largest (and perhaps most encompassing) stream of thought I've been pouring myself into as of late is in regards to the Socialist movement in 1930's New York. (The Bronx, more specifically.) This is all shamlessly inspired by Irving Howe's autobiography: "A Margin of Hope" which I am thoroughly enjoying at the moment. Anyhow, yesterday I started wondering, why is it that we (the voting and politically inclined public) seem to have reconciled ourselves to the political process being completely reserved for diplomats and beaurocrats? What happened to the street rallies? What happened to the intellectual and idealistic (ideological) debates that lasted for hours? What happened to the voice of the elderly? But really, what distracted us? Why are the only people that do preach ideology on the street corners wear paper bags on their heads and talk about the end of the world?

I don't have any answers, I don't even know if I really want them. And let's face it, when some radical student group at UofW gets all riled up and wants to protest...everything...I am likely the last one to sign up. So, I suppose I am my own disgust. (again, classic.) But what happened to pamphlets and podiums? It's strange to miss things you never had. Anyhow, like I said, I don't have the answers. I'm sure someone will tell me soon enough it has everything to do with the media and shrinking brain capacity. Unfortunately, I might agree with them.

Well..the rest of what I wanted to say, I think I'll turn into a second post.