New T-shirt: I rode BoltBus and all I got was this sore neck

Ok, that’s extreme.  I got to my destination safely.  Not on time, but safely.

A quick summary of my first day (roundtrip) of riding BoltBus (Philly to NYC and back):

• My cellphone is dead so I’m clock-less.  This bus is mad late though.  And its quite chilly out this morning.  Gotta have been 30-40 minutes late.  Was thinking the next P2P Circulator bus was going to show up before it. UPDATE!  As I had said, my cell phone was dead.  I just checked voicemail (yes, very late) and I had a voicemail that morning from Boltbus telling me that the bus was running late and what its approximate arrival time would be.  Very nice.
• And it arrives…. brand, shiny, new bus.
• Boarding is easy.  Surprised how little of us who were there actually have tickets printed.  Isn’t that the main advantage of BoltBus’ pricing?
• Leather seats….wherever I saw that wasn’t lying.  And that extra 3 inches of leg room feels huge. Feels like your own private space on the bus.
• Smooth jazz CD playing very loudly….turned off by driver before we got rolling
• Electrical outlets on back of ‘aisle’ seats.  Cool, but nobody is paranoid about EMF health effects?  Guess just me.  I made sure to sit by the window both times.  Don’t know if it was necessaary or if it would’ve helped but hey.
• DVD put in….a movie called “Stardust” – actually engaging….good actors…found myself watching this more than i wanted.
• Why the sore neck?  The seats barely recline.  I mean…. the ’standard position’ feels like a negative incline and the fully reclined position feels almost like sitting up straight.  This coupled with the height/shape of the seat (I guess) provided me with very uncomfortable sleep. Parent company Greyhound is going to keep more of my money it seems.  Commuting 3 days a week, I need the time to sleep on the bus.  This was a problem both going and returning.  We’ll see if MegaBus is any different.
• Drop off location was very convenient.  Pretty much right at an A/C/E entrance (at 34th Street).
• Arrival time – 20 minutes late.
• The ride home was more on time.  Arrival time in Philly, 8:36 (estimated arrival 8:30).  Cloth seats on way home and no music/movie, which was perfectly fine.  
• Both trips, the bus was super new and clean.
• The drivers and staff I encountered were very nice, professional, and friendly.  One of the best parts of the experience.

Overall, I don’t think its for me because I really could not sleep well.  If sleep wasn’t a factor, seems like a great option.

Boltbus is on the move

Back on April 2, I had written that service between Philly and NYC was starting the first week in June or so. Now I’ve heard that it’s been running since April 11.

Guess they decided to get the jump on MegaBus.

I’ve yet to take it, but will soon and will report on my experience. Been having some frustrating experiences with parent company Greyhound anyway on their flagship line. Time for a change. Not too mention my pockets have been waiting for this and MegaBus to start up.

In truth, due to the bus schedules, I may need to wait for MegaBus to get going. Will most likely find myself taking one of them in the morning and the other on the way home.

Blogarhythms and The Roots weigh in on the Sean Bell verdict

El Keter (rhymes with ‘better’ not ‘beater’ who knew? not I. knowledge is power folks) dropped a nice entry on the Sean Bell verdict. Good insights and reminders for turning our outrage into something productive.

Check out Blogarhythms.

The Roots ripped it on the Late Show with David Letterman. They performed Rising Up from the new album Rising Down. The song features Chrisette Michele and Wale. Both artists turn in great guest performances.

The crew repped justice by donning all black. ?uestlove sported a custom black tee reading “NOT GUILTY?!!!” Some members wore pins also.

The Late Show performance

Did the Roots kill this performance or what?

Official video

Cop that new CD! In stores, today!

Been bumping it since Saturday (pre-order copy came in the mail early, direct from the Okayplayer store).

Sean Bell verdict one more travesty *update* RALLY

All 3 detectives who murdered Sean Bell were acquitted on all charges. There was no jury. As I heard it described, the judge didn’t even bother reading each count for the verdict.

Liliana Segura wrote a succinct and on point recap on Alternet. When you revisit the details of how Mr. Bell was treated, the verdict is very hard to stomach.
http://alternet.org/blogs/peek/#83525

From an Alluswe track for Sean Bell that will probably never see the light of day….from 41 shots on Amadou Diallo in 1999 to 50 to take down Sean Bell in 2006.

Inflation

41 to 50, what a price to pay
7 years, 7 years
things that change, remain the same
call them errors in a system
made to function just that way
shots of heat, wet concrete
falling to the ground like heavy rain
the sound of the beast
is the sound of a beating in the street
of a heart stopped beating in the street
of a foot on the neck of a people in the street

illegitimate force
not the use of, just illegitimate
its inflation on the price of a life
unnecessary force
necessary to keep shit in place
lies and covers cheap as always

illegitimate force
not the use of, just illegitimate
its inflation on the price of a life
unnecessary force
necessary to keep shit in place
lies and covers cheap as always

I can not say that I am disappointed, as that would imply this type of miscarriage of justice is unthinkable. I am shocked, and yet I am not. The great Gil Scott Heron brilliantly noted that “America leads the world in shocks.” He said that in regards to Nixon and Vietnam, and it is true today for Bush and Iraq. It is true today for the NYPD, for the flawed ‘justice’ system, for the city as a whole. I am shocked that the city seemed peaceful when I arrived from Philadelphia this morning. The verdict was just getting out at that time however. Maybe there will be unity, and marches, and more.

But we’ve seen this time and time again. What I am, more accurately, is angry.

I will, and I hope that we will, find a type of grace in that anger. One that spurs us to action. Today and tomorrow. I call to mind the quote by St. Augustine:

Hope has two daughters
Their names are Anger and Courage.
Anger at the way things are and
Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.

*update*

RALLY

http://www.myspace.com/peoplesjustice
www.peoplesjustice.org

COME OUT: APRIL 25th at 5:30 pm

@ the Queens DA’s Office

125-01 Queens Blvd. (between Hoover Ave & 82nd Ave.)

E or F train to Union Turnpike

The NYPD’s murder of Bell and attempted murders of Benefield and Guzman are NOT isolated or random events. They represent the continued targeting of communities of color by the police and the lack of accountability for police misconduct and abuse.

Endorsers (list in formation): Allianza Dominicana, Audre Lorde Project, Black Radical Congress-NY, CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities, Center for Constitutional Rights, Congress for Korean Reunification, Critical Resistance, Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM), DJ Chela, Domestic Workers United (DWU), El Puente, FIERCE, Fr. Luis Barrios – St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (West Harlem, Manhattan), Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC), Hasan Salaam, Hip Hop Caucus, Immigrant Justice Solidarity Project, Iglesia San Romero de Las Americas, International Action Center, Jews for Racial & Economic Justice (JFREJ), Justice Committee, Lynne Stewart Organization, Make the Road by Walking, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Mano a Mano, May 1st Coalition, National Hip Hop Political Convention, New Abolitionists, Nodutdol for Korean Community Development, October 22nd Coalition, Parents Against Police Brutality, Party for the People, Rebel Diaz, Regeneracion, Revolting in Pink (R.I.P), Rights for Imprisoned People with Psychiatric Disabilities (RIPPD), Sylvia Rivera Law Project, VAMOS Unidos. War Resisters League, Where We Live Radio Program/WBAI-FM NY.

For more information about the April 25th rally/community speak-out, Peoples’ Justice, and other cases of police violence go to: peoplesjustice.org and myspace.com/peoplesjustice or email info@peoplesjustice.org. *Peoples Justice is no longer calling for an auction the day after the verdict. If the judge goes back on his word and chooses to delay handing down the verdict, COME OUT on April 25th at 5:30PM and go to peoplesjustice.org and myspace.com/peoplesjustice to find out about the next steps.

Flyer: http://peoplesjustice.org/site/images/stories/seanbell/PJ_Rally_On_Day_Of_%20Verdict.pdf

I Miss Capoeira

This is a short blog. I’m just sayin. I miss capoeira.
Since I started commuting 3 days a week to NYC I haven’t seemed to have the time, and more so, haven’t had the energy.

If you’re in or near Philly and interested, check out ASCAB Capoeira with Mestre Doutor (video). The school is great. Doutor is great. Delphine is great. Mestre Corisco is great. The rest of the people in class are great. It’s a fun and supportive atmosphere and an incredible workout.

My flexibilty (among many other things), which already needed much work, now needs more. But I was just practicing a couple things in front of the mirror in the bathroom here at work.

I’ll be back!

Wednesday Randomness: Wegmans, Universal Healthcare, Philly-to-NYC-buses, New Che Grand

1. Wegmans is theeeee shit. We gotta go to Mt. Laurel but its a quick drive over the Ben Franklin Bridge and since we’re going to church over in Camden its convenient that way. They’ve got everything. I mean everything. Organic produce, vegetarian friendly foods, ill marinades, a whole normal size supermarket of the stuff. Plus a whole normal size supermarket of ‘normal’ stuff. Plus some cookware and kitchen stuff too. Good prices. And an amazingly delicious and nutritious food court with freshly prepared options. Only gripe I can make is the suburban-sprawl nature of the huge store (how about more floors?). But it is in the suburbs after all. Not trying to advertise, but ummm, yea.
2. 6 out of 10 Doctors Recommend: A National Health Plan
   http://www.commondreams.org/news2008/0331-17.htm
3. Greyhound feels the heat and jumps with two feet into the fire. I’ve been taking Greyhound up to NYC for work 3 days a week. Taking advantage of their e-fares. Comparable to the Chinatown buses (coach2000.com, apexbus.com) and the 30th Street option, P2Pcirculator.com. I take all of them occassionally, but I prefer stopping at Port Authority and taking an N,R,W train to the job. Recently it was announced that MegaBus was coming, offering $1 fares to a number of people who purchase in advance (starting May 30th….the $1 fares are FREE fares the first week)!! Now Greyhound is going to start up BoltBus on the same tip (starting one week later *edit* Looks as if Boltbus service started on April 11). *edit* Dunno how many $1 tickets BoltBus is offering. (BoltBus said that its one-way fare for the first four days will be $1 and that it would sell at least one seat on every trip for $1. Source). Both offer free wireless internet. BoltBus has a rewards program (8 trips, get one free. Dunno if that’s 8 full price tickets). BoltBus also allows bicycles; I believe MegaBus does not. Philly-NYC commuters can smile. Hey Amtrak, care to offer us something a little cheaper than your current monthly pass?
4. New Che Grand music. Life’s Grand featuring Nicky from HEAVy, produced by Aeon. Dopeness. Please check it out. Might not last long.
   http://chegrand.blogspot.com/2008/04/lifes-grand-ft-nicky-of-heavy-prod-by.html

Uno

Gonna be an experiment here as I attempt to hit up this blog every day….talking about music, politics, art, spirituality, philly, nyc, and whatever else. We’ll see how much truly personal stuff I manage to put out here. Probably will get into new fatherhood sometimes…..yea we’ll see.

Gotta be up at 5:45 to get ready for commute to the job in NYC.

All for tonight.

Peace.