Running on "Taos time".

One of the last things I heard before going "lights out" last night was a story of how certain leaders of the democrats are advocating becoming compleat republicans by courting evangelicals. I use the term "leaders" loosely here because stories like that affirm, to my mind, they are more like herd sheep or headless chickens. But that's what happens when you leave the TV on CNN for more than its commercials. So if we thought we didn't have much choice with just two parties, whatever are we going to do with only one remaining?

But that aside, yesterday was another enriching day in Taos. It can be a frustrating place at times. That's because we never, no I mean NEVER, get to all the places we intend, mostly because of unplanned encounters. Let me give you an example.

My wife had gone into a small cafe to look at the breads they had on sale there when a fellow entered with an extremely anti-IMF t-shirt on. On it's backside was a littany of crimes committed by this organization in the guise of helping poor nations. Before I could finish reading them all, he concealed the message by leaning it against a chair back.

But undeterred, I felt compelled to approach the gentleman and say two words: "Nice Shirt". That was my mistake, because it was another hour before we got out of that cafe with an unintended lunch in our bellies.

That's because the t-shirt with the angry message belonged to a fellow by the name of Bob Pederson. His website lists him as Executive Director of Tierra Lucero, a small company whose goal as listed there is "developing the skills and techniques necessary to eat a fully bioregional diet (which will be challenged only by his deep and enduring love of the coffee bean — stay tuned for play-by-play coverage of Bob’s grueling inner battle!)"

We talked at some length of Bob's concern for a nationwide food distribution system that can be vulnerable to interruption which could lead to rather traumatic social conditions. As a result, he has some pretty incredible visions for communities nationally to create greater food independence. But his focus is on Taos for now.

It became obvious after the "nice shirt" comment I'd made, Bob had lots more to say than his anger against the IMF as expressed on his back. Bob has a lot of positive ideas on what could and should be done to counteract our growing dependence on a system becoming increasingly hell bent on destroying us.

Bob was also present at the WTO meetings in Seattle a few years back that gained so much international attention for the demonstrations against that organization. As an observer down on the streets, it was enlightening to learn how well organized police with undercover agents in the crowd actually incited riots so authorities had excuse to move in and bust heads. In that particular instance as Bob related, the "protestors" most active in inciting violence whom the police were NOT interested in arresting, were the ones all wearing the same thing, L.L. Bean hats and carrying a paper under their arm.

Yes, just what we need. More paranoia to remind us, all is not as it always seems. Sometimes good guys are the assholes and the assholes are the good guys.

Afterwards, we departed a pleasant acquaintence I'd not intended to make, with a lunch I'd not intended to eat over an hour I'd not intended to spend. It was time well spent.