ideath

I turned off Beech Street because of the carpet of blue.

There are two trees, one on either side of the alley, both with bright blue plums, round and just larger than large grapes. They are tasty.

The trees are heavy with fruit and need scavenging. Much of the fruit, if not most of it, leans over the fences and into the alley.

Our friends were living in Avignon for a year and had invited people to take advantage of their space. We decided to take them up on it, so i started reading the Avignon Quintet (mostly because i’m a fan of the Alexandria Quartet).

I only got as far as Monsieur (it’s the only one i brought, really). Durrell disappointed me a bit by straying so far from the walls, while we stayed within the walls, mostly, despite the tantalizing views. The most exciting bit was the anti-CPE march we joined. (This was back in March.) The photos are here

I think the best part was having friends who live there, and a home base that really was a home base. They could tell us what they liked and where to wander.

Live music occasionally. The decor isn’t much, but the beer is often good. Rotating taps.

Patterned on memories of hospitality, Epicurus’s Garden, and spiced with excess, it welcomes.

Most of the people you’ll see there are volunteers. Most of the rooms you’ll see there are chaotic. If you live in Portland and can’t afford to buy a computer, you can volunteer and get one that’s built from used parts, free software, and love. If you just like tinkering or saving the world, you can hang out, make friends, and do a little bit of tinkering or worldsaving. If you hate computers, there are always ones set aside specifically for smashing. If you’re into functional anarchy, consensus, democratic workplaces, gift economy, talk to the folks there for a while. You’ll find all kinds.

There’s also a computer thrift store that helps support the mission. Cheap used computer bits and other miscellaneous stuff like typewriters! Groovy.

For the curious and those who want to get involved, there are tours at noon and six pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

(Disclaimer: yes, i used to be staff, and now i’m a volunteer. So i really know what i’m talking about.)

It’s a brief walk from Lancing College, over a little bridge. There’s not much to the town, but it’s small and quiet, pretty, and the River Adur flows through it.

When i lived in town, i went every weekend, every time i had a guest. French speaking clubs would meet there and chat. There are international newspapers. In a tiny city like Northampton, you have to take your international eclecticism where you can find it.

So much of the food is good, but since i get there once a year or less now, i stick with the herbed eggs.

it’s full of nostalgia. i love the cemetery and the old empty state hospital, wandering around.

amanouz is the best place for breakfast. everything changes but that.