My trip to Kansas

Micheal Garfield in a tunic his mom gave him for Burning Man. This guy is a genius; please if you haven't already, check out his blog.
Here I am with my God-brother Will. We got to paint and roll around in the grass together.
Nick Garcia, puffn on a hookah Katy let me borrow for the pool party. Nick is a farmer and a promoter of the great Gandhi's "Be the change you wish to see in the world." I love him dearly.
Ben Dory. Sunlight in a skin sack.
Zack and I at the celebration for Obama in Lawrence. I know this is totally superficial and racist, but Obama is literally a symbol for integration. His face is a sign of new times, inspiring people all over the world. It doesn't even matter what he does; just being a young black man, born poor to a single mother from Kansas, brings the "promise of America" and the struggle for equality into a visual (superficial?) fruition. He really does symbolize change. And symbols are powerful organizing forces, don't you know it!
Zack and Julie at the Democrat's party in Lawrence. We went there to watch Obama give his acceptance speech. The atmosphere was crazy; everyone was so happy.
At the Spenser Museum the same night I got to see Tibetan artist Gonkar Gyatso speak about his life and work. “The recent Tibetan protests in Lhasa against Chinese occupation, and the related controversy around the Olympic torch relay worldwide prompted us to invite an artist who, through his exploration of Tibetan cultural identity, can provide fresh perspectives on the complex problems surrounding the rights of indigenous peoples in the contemporary world.”
That talk was fantastic.

Good, colorful, brilliant Malikai, an old friend from college. I ran into this "total inspiration
on Massachusetts Street. He was spreading info about Critical Mass to parked bicycles.
Kwan Yin. The Buddha of Compassion. This sculpture (along with the Caravaggio) is really what puts Kansas City's Nelson art museum on the map. I try to visit her as often as I can. The face fills me with calm, and her meaning fills me with compassion.
Black Rothko painting at the Nelson. This is a really good Rothko.
Leigh and I went to Solidarity!'s 7th birthday party in Lawrence. There were some amazing musicians and artists there, including Spoonboy. Mostly, though, I just watched Leigh.
My dad relaxing under the new roof he built.

This is Sam, one of my good friends from Lawrence. He took great care of me. Again, more generosity.
Peter and I at Loose Park. Peter has been a friend since Junior High; always very generous.