yesterday i went with my roommate to a rally in support of the Egyptian protesters. There were many Egyptian-American families and lots of young (mostly white) people I recognized from every protest I've ever attended in this town. The older Egyptian men came dressed in suits, with nice coats and shined shoes. Many had written speeches, or printed out articles from the internet. Lots of thoughtful commentary, and also lots of cringe-inducing chants ("hey hey, ho ho, mu-bar-ek has to go!", etc). I had to put my sunglasses on and pull my hood up when someone started to lead the crowd in bob marley's "get up, stand up." That same lady shows up to every protest ("everybody! I can't hear you! one more time") . All in all, it was good. Something for everyone, although i wish for this issue to remain its own movement in its own right. I feel like it's getting caught up with all the other movements and somehow that detracts from the power of what's really happening.

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i also made many new friends last night, wandering around new orleans. It was an unexpectedly lovely night -- dinner with friends, washboard blues, brass bands. I got separated from the group, and spent quite a bit of time sitting on sidewalks with random people, recovering from a rude bouncer.

Jack from Mississippi gave me my first fiddle lesson and a cd. Jesse from Austin gave me a robot painting. Edgar from Colombia helped me unlock my bike when i was stumbling, and read me a poem from a notebook in his pocket. The evening was surprisingly warm, and for a moment i just felt like everything was magical. I know, i know, it was the beer. But not entirely.

3:49 p.m. - 2011-02-06