The last week has been a strange one.
The last week has been
a strange one.
We are running behind by about a week, so we have
decided stay in Chicago and try to raise some funds.
We were really thrown for a loop with the whole Adam
Curry debacle. I can't begin to express how sad I
really am about it, not so much because I was putting
faith in Adam Curry, but because it seemed that he
beleived in our idea, which did mean a lot. And, it
has put so much added stress on Shane and I we are
having some relationship issues, (That's a diplomatic
way to say we are arguing a bit). We are feeling a
lot more uncertainty about our plans and our route,
and even though it was Curry who crapped out on us, I
still feel like it makes us look bad. For more on the
whole Adam Curry thing we have set up
http://www.adamcurrylies.com, go there for more,
because we are pretty much sick of talking about him
here.
We have had a real run of bad luck for the last year
and I was feeling like 2007 might end on a high note
because of our deal with Podshow, but now it appears
that things will be the same life or death struggle
they have been for the whole last year, which may be
exciting at 25, but is less so into ones thirties.
We spent Thanksgiving at Shane's mother's house --
after being unceremoniously booted from my mother's
house just days before. That is a whole story in
itself, we were having a great time hanging out with
them, but after being away for a couple years and all
of the strangeness that went on while I was gone,
there were apparently some unresolved issues with my
sister and I. I am worried about her safety and well
being, that is all I can really say about it.
Getting no sleep and having no place to call home is
starting to wear on us, we are trying to live on as
little money as possible, the whole thing is starting
to get crazy - we have no income right now, our lives
are in limbo, and depending on the kindness of others
is a much harder burden to bear than one can imagine.
- Amy
CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK TO HELP KEEP US ON THE ROAD:
http://www.pledgie.com/campaigns/422
If you think the revolution won't be televised, you're sadly mistaken.
At the ripe old age of
21 I took a gig helping put together "The Underground
Comix Hall of Fame". I met a fella named Bob Rudnick.
"Righteous Rudnick" was a "White Panther", and
explained to me how they, the White Panthers grew
outta the Black Panthers... this was the first time I
had ever heard of the "Black Panthers".
As time went on, I meet other "Hippies" from the day,
Bob introduced me to a photographer who the Black
Panthers were cool with, I guess they let him inside
Fred Hampton's apt after the state approved
assassination, all involved felt it was important to
document the murders.
They made a point to show me those pictures, I wasn't
sure why at the time, I do know this was an important
moment in my life... a moment I'd never forget.
For my part of the year long road trip we've set out
on, I wanted to capture as many stories of persecuted
thought. Folks whose thoughts put them in peril.
To start, I somehow I had to get something about the
Fred Hampton story on tape. I did try to get in-touch
with his son with no luck there, I decided to go to
the scene of the assassination, luckily I ran into
Fred Hampton's original neighbor Joe Murphy. (Go to
the T.V & RADIO section of our site to see and
hear that interview.)
After speaking with Mr. Murphy, I now feel even more
dedicated to grabbing the kind of American history
that probably won't end up in the history books. If
it does, it'll be re-written, bleached out and made
safe for the masses.
Podcasting, new-media, citizen journalism, blogging,
vlog... no matter how you slice it or what you call
it , it is so fucking important to get the oral
history on tape - the revolution will be waged with
mics, video cameras and art.
If you think the revolution won't be televised,
you're sadly mistaken. The T.V., video camera and
microphone have become the tools for modern
revolution, so much so restrictions similar to the
gun laws are being proposed. Look to new laws
prohibiting the use of video cameras in NY for a
hint.
If you think your second amendment will help fight
governmental tyranny, it won't... not unless you and
your comrades are holding tanks, missiles, and other
modern military weaponry.
On the other hand, if enough folks spoke up and
encouraged others to do the same, maybe we could form
a true union by the people, for the people... and if
we did, if we all stopped working for a couple of
days, essentially going on strike, I'm willing to bet
we'd get most of our basic human rights back and more
importantly we'd get the respect from the "man" we
somehow lost.
Now pick up you camera, grab your recording devise
and speak the fuck up... document the real history of
your culture/zip-code - say something that counts,
something more than re-hashed entertainment news and
cheap impersonations of your favorite media
propagandist. - Shane
"You can kill a revolutionary but you can never kill
the revolution." - Fred Hampton
week two eye candy...
Joe Murphy is a wise fellow, and was Fred Hampton's neighbor. He was home and heard the Murder of the revolutionary thinker and Black Panther - murdered by the Chicago Police and the FBI.
Lewis Black - he's not only a comedian, he's a revolutionary thinker.
Author Jean Shepherd's house- The man behind the film A Christmas Story and one of the greatest communicators ever! This IS the real house from the story A Christmas Story... look for the video UP this week.
Amy and her Mom - we visited while in Munster, In. - make sure to find the War Memorial Or Horror Movie? With the great Mary Joan!
War Memorial -- What Is It Good For?
On Wednesday Shane and
I went to the Munster, Indiana Veteran's Memorial
with my mother Mary Joan. None of us had ever been to
see it before and since earlier this week celebrated
Veteran's Day it seemed like a fitting stop.
The gi-normous winding park includes displays for
WW1, WW2, The Korean War, Vietnam, and the Gulf war
(apparently wars before 1900 just don't count). It is
much more like the set of a horror movie than a
memorial for our living and deceased servicement.
Realistic bronzed bodies lay blown to pieces, rubble,
and frescos of death are prominently featured in a
multi-million dollar display.
My Mother was pretty upset about the memorial, and
her anger due to the extravagance of the memorial in
contrast to the dismal state of America's Veteran's
hospitals and the care and support of our soldiers.
Just a few days ago the Chicago Tribune reported that
26% of all homeless people are veterans, and that
those who have fought in our current war are becoming
homeless at a faster rate than any other war.
Shane and I both have colds, Shane's is really bad,
so we have spent that last few days blowing our noses
more than anything, I think the stress and strife of
that last few weeks has finally taken it's toll.
It has been great to spend some time with my family,
I have barely seen my mother, sister and nieces in
the last few years. In my absence my nieces have
become young women. This morning I drove my eldest
niece to the train to go to school -- She started
college in the city about a month ago. Tonight we
baked cookies and ate falafels. My youngest niece
made Shane some tea to soothe his throat, and
Cheyenne seems to be getting along really well with
their two dogs.
It may not be home, but there is no place like it.
- Amy Bugbee
On the 8th Day....
Sunday, November 11,
2007
On the 8th Day..
It is 8 days since we began our journey, A Year At
The Wheel.
Our time in Chicago is growing short and there is
still so much we have to see. The days have been a
blurry race. Shane and I are both glad we began the
trip in Chicago - A city we know very well. We are
working out the kinks, and being in a familiar place
makes it easier.
We still need to figure out the vehicle. It appears
we will not be driving Adam Curry's "Trinity", we
were hoping to replace it with another bio diesel
vehicle, but so far we have been unable to.
Right now it looks as though our petroleum guzzling
Chevy Blazer will be our mode of transportation, the
interior is about the same size as "Trinity" would
have been, so both are a tight fit. I would love to
find a small RV, and better yet if it is or can be
converted to bio diesel. I've been looking on
Craigslist for something, but time is short, and I
really didn't expect to have to deal with this now.
It's frustrating.
On Thursday, we went to Waukegan to see Lewis Black
(http://www.standuprecords.com), it was was way
better than I expected it to be. I like Lewis Black,
but I have always considered him more of a humorist
than a comedian. I stand corrected, because I was
busting some heavy belly laughs! His political
thoughts were surprisingly agreeable for me, and
though a lot of what he was saying was damn
depressing when you really think about it, it was
damn funny having someone to commiserate with. Best
yet, I could see some of the stauncher crowd getting
worked up.
Friday was Shane's birthday, it was pretty low key,
we worked on the last bits of prepartion - loading
storage, shipping mail, yada, yada, yada, and we
spent some time with Shane's youngest brother Trevor.
Hear some of the audio highlights on the Radio Show.
Saturday, was a whirlwind -- 18th Annual Humanities
Festival (http://www.chfestival.org), Toothpick boat
builder Wayne Kusy (http://www.waynekusy.com), a
quick stop to The Globe Tavern, an English style pub
on Irving Park Road, for a live broadcast of The Brit
& Yankee (http://www.thebritandyankee.com), and
then to Shane's grandmother's 80th birthday party.
Until Next Time,
Amy Bugbee
first 72 hrs VIPs
We go way back with Mike Diana... it was great to see him again.
Mike was in town to show his support for the West Memphis Three - WM3.org
Mike Diana and Mom - hanging out, drawing pictures.
This young lady won the Martin Atkins art - it was an auction and she paid a total of $40.
So, I love the shirt... what are you gonna do?
Sid Yiddish with a piece of Steven Leyba's art.
Book Signing at Quimbys - Steven Leyba, Gigi Deluxe, Mike Diana and Me.
Wayne Kusey - world famous toothpick ship builder and the person who drug me out of the gutter over 20 years ago. He pushed me to get off my ass, get involved and get creative.
Leigh Hanlon( chicagoscope.com/ ), Phil Clark ( thebritandyankee.com/ ) and Amy... Fish, Chips and Beer... mmmmm
I am feeling like I just entered Bizarro World..... and this is only Day 1.
I am getting ready for sleep in my in-laws basement. I can't say I am getting ready for bed because I am sleeping on a basement floor, it's a nice basement though, don't get me wrong.
We just got back from the West Memphis 3 benefit, it was well, a disaster. Both Mike Diana and Steven Leyba flew in for the event, one from either coast. They are two of the most important artists in the last 20 years, but there was absolutely no publicity for them. In fact, there was no press for the event at all!
We knew about a week ago we were in trouble, but canceling would have been wrong. Sometimes one has to let things ride. There are no guarantees in life, especially with events. I sent out hundreds of press releases out, and the show included four local bands, the SUPER SECRET SIDESHOW drove up from Indianapolis, and the venue THE EMPTY BOTTLE is one of the cities favorite spots for live shows, yet only about 20 people paid to get in.
This is the first time EVER that I could not get at least some press for the event. The wife of one of the guys in one of the bands is a Roller Derby Girl, she was trying to get her team to get behind the WEST MEMPHIS 3, but they told her it was too controversial. I contacted the editor of the Chicago Reader, she said they would "pass" on this-- they have never passed on anything in the past! I sent the information to a Metal Website, the fella was happy to post post it up, then emailed me about an hour later to say he'd gotten a record number of complaints, saying the WEST MEMPHIS 3 are in prison, so they MUST be guilty.
On October 29th The NEW YORK TIMES reported DNA test results had finally come in on the WEST MEMPHIS 3 case and the three young men, who have been imprisoned since 1994 were NOT at the crime scene, but DNA evidence did show that one of the murdered boys father's and another person were there. One would believe such good news would result in immediate vindication, but instead authorities are quoted as saying it could take "months or years" to resolve. How can that be?
This breaking news made no impact in their case, the media coverage - which aside from the New York Times included only local Memphis media and Canadian news, or on our event. How can that not be national news when the recent Jena 6 case made such HUGE headlines, and this is a far worse injustice? It must be because these are white trash kids who listened to Heavy Metal, read books on the occult and drew violent artwork, and it is not the practice of poor whites to unite or stand up for each other in the least.
I have to ask -- Hey America, is this this thing on? Check, check, check. I know no American or human being for that matter would allow this kind of injustice to stand -- would you?
Oh and to add insult to injury, Adam Curry who called on October 26th and said he was taking care of buisness, and we would have everything by November 1st, never showed up. It is now November 5th and nothing has shown up yet.
I am feeling like I just entered Bizarro World..... and this is only Day 1.
Shout out to MIke Diana, Steven Leyba, The Super Secret Sideshow, The Columbines, Sid Yiddish, MB Conn, Begin By Gathering Supplies, The Empty Bottle, Sinstress Maya, and all who came to our event.
Thanks to the Viking Youth Power Hour for being the only media strong enough to promote the show.
Exciting News About The West Memphis 3 -- Perfect Benefit TIming!
Ironically, just days before our Benefit on November 4th, new DNA evidence was presented Monday, October 29, 2007. It offers EVEN MORE irrefutable evidence, proving the innocence of three young men who have spent their entire adulthood behind bars. Will this case continue to be ignored by the justice system?
Here's the article--
Defense Offers New Evidence in a Murder Case That Shocked Arkansas:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/30/us/30satanic.html?ref=us
If you are not familiar with the case, The West Memphis 3 are Jason Baldwin, Jessie Misskelley, and Damien Echols, three teenagers convicted for a grisly triple murder of 3 young boys in West Memphis, Arkansas back in 1994. There was no physical evidence in the case, they were convicted based on their interest in Heavy Metal and occult books-- young outcasts in a small town, they were singled out and made guilty with ease!
The case was the subject of the HBO documentary 'Paradise Lost'. The film's startling revelations forced a retrial -- presided on by the same judge -- the verdict was upheld. That re-conviction led to a sequel about the obvious injustice still being carried out. Many people have come forward to demand justice for the West Memphis 3, but the the case has been relatively ignored.
Why are they so afraid to say the "satanic" kids didn't do it?
The fear of Atheists, Pagans, Humanists, and all points in between continues to fester. Misdirected intolerance based upon spiritual or philosophical differences is still tolerated in the modern world. It proves man little more than a barbarian into the Twenty First Century, the same one capable of Witch Hunts and Inquisitions.
- Amy Bugbee
• If you are in the Chicago Area, join us November 4th, 2007 at The Empty Bottle
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO OR TO RSVP
• More on the West Memphis 3: http://www.wm3.org
I wanted to add a little plug for us... yep, for us.
As we're set to hit the road, we could use any and all help we can get.
Check out some of the help options HERE
( http://www.ayearatthewheel.com/page7/page3/index.html )
We're also selling some stuff on eBay, check it out here: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZfancy1847
