Signposting has become my way of dealing with writer’s block. For me writer’s block has never been having nothing to say, but having too much to say and being overwhelmed by the thought of trying to sort it all out. Although I personally can’t remember a time when I found myself with nothing to say, my Mom said that when I was born I was actually pretty quiet for the first couple of seconds. But then I started yelling about — (and yes, I’m just guessing here, but I bet I’m not wrong)— everything.
Now that I’ve spent sixty-two years here and not just sixty-two seconds, I still have essentially the same complaints, it’s mostly just my expectations that have changed. Despite what we tell ourselves, I’ve never really known if what I did actually made a difference, felt like I needed to, or that it was even reasonable to expect — especially in politics. And if you’re looking for rewards in things like discernible political change, or achieving even a modicum of social justice… all I can say is best of luck. I’ve found the only way to guarantee being rewarded by activism is to make sure you have fun.
As it turns out, after all these years and all sorts of changes, the time when I actually had it right was way, way back when I was a baby: even though everything’s messed up and confusing, you’ve got to take your pleasure where you can find it. And ultimately the only reward you can truly rely on is the entertainment value of colors and patterns. So as an activist, even though I’m still hoping to change the world, for the time being I’m willing to settle for some cool pictures.
These were posted on Interstates 80, 580 and 280 and US 101 in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and Emeryville between seven pm and midnight November 11th and six and nine o’clock on the morning of the twelfth.
Cheers!