AN EYE FOR AN EYE MAKES THE WHOLE WORLD BLIND -GANDHI

"Since 1971 the world's drug policy has been largely influenced by that of the United States of America, which, as we have seen, has itself a tortured history when it comes to drug misuse. Their policies appear to be tied up with many fundamental Christian beliefs and with the belief that they should act as the world's police force. In many instances America's attitude toward drug use is contradictory with the degree of harmfulness of a drug bearing no relationship to illegality or otherwise. Indeed the opposite appears true in many instances with successive United States governments supporting tobacco farmers and alcohol producers. " (from a book I found here called Adolescent Substance Misuse by Ian Sutherland (p.13)). Hmm.

east of the city

So I finally got a social work job (yay!) and have been working for a month now (I can't believe that). It is great and I am learning tons, but-like social work jobs everywhere in the world, I suppose-it's very hard work! I put some pictures of Greenwich up (one of many boroughs in London. it is southeast London and also where time begins) because it is the borough I am working in...although the images below are of the sort of nicer, more touristy area of Greenwich alongside the Thames. I do travel through this area to get to work every day and wait for an unreliable bus (the only one that drops off in front of my work)...but, I guess I shouldn't complain b/c it is a beautiful place to be waiting for a bus. Was spoiled by having a car for too many years. I am living in the Docklands, which as one tourist book puts it is "London's new business district that never really took off-part de Chirico ghost town, part riverside theme park". There are boats and water and some nice water/boat/building views, a breeze that comes off the water, things like that. So far I have managed to stay (live and work) east of the city-central London, so I suppose I am an eastender (in training b/c it seems it takes forever to learn this city).

GREENWICH

greenwich, cutty sark (ship) in distance

First shop in the world (at least it claims to be)... Millennium Dome above

Halloween, St. Lucian style...

YOU! He's going to eat YOU! Below: Donovan in his scary Halloween T-shirt. So, Halloween is celebrated here, but I don't think anybody can compete with Americans when it comes to "doing it up" for this holiday in particular. I saw a few teenagers dressed up on the Tube going to a costume party, and some candy in the stores, but no trick-or-treaters or pumpkins really and not too much of the usual orange and black/candycorn extravagance. In some ways (like in the case of Halloween), Americans take things to a whole new level-this can be good and bad. Back to Halloween: Kati and I chose to accompany Donovan to a dress-up (hence the fancy, plastic, 99pence masks we are wearing for a pic below) Halloween party put on by his friends (mostly from St. Lucia). Donovan has the habit of boasting about how St. Lucians can party like noone else and blah blah blah...anyway, turns out, he's right! (don't let it go to your head, buddy). There was music and dancing and sweating and decorations and costumes and music and dancing and soon it was 5am...and I woke up the next day with bite marks on my face, a tattoo, and a hangover. Just kidding about the tattoo. Good times. Hope everyone had a wonderfully SPOOKY Halloween!! By the way, it's getting COLD here!

scary--->

day with sonia

up close and personal....above sonia attempting to fly or dance? (in all fairness, I encouraged her to strike a pose)

"cranes near the thames". this photo is dedicated to people who like cranes, especially sonia.

bridges

big ben, houses of parliament w/sun. london eye.

miss you guys! hope you're practising. (picture courtesy of kat)

FACIAL HAIR on the web

meda has generously set up the band's myspace account...so far it's just a skeleton version of what it will become! (when the rest of the lazy bandmates, including myself, get in gear and add stuff). anyway, for all of you on myspace, please add us as friends. we need friends. I think we have three so far, one of which is "tom" who is everyone's friend really. wherever you go, don't forget your facial hair