After the Storm

 

Last night I had the chance to spend some time in Hamp with some friends, and it was a very good time.

It rained, sometimes torrentially all day, but just at dusk it stopped. Hurriedly, a small orchestra assembled on the courthouse lawn and gave an impromptu concert. It was a very much a "random act of art" with the whole community gathering round. 

In fact it was the largest crowd on the streets I've seen thus far this season in Northampton, perhaps because the rain had kept everyone trapped inside, inspiring the community to come swarming into the street once it stopped. Thus another fun filled summer is in full swing! My buddy took my picture by the Calvin Coolidge Memorial, honoring the only person from Western Massachusetts elected to the presidency. Dig my new haircut - I look almost normal!

But don't be fooled. I'm only disguising myself as normal so I can infiltrate and subvert the normal world like never before!!!

Here are five differences between Northampton and Amherst.

Amherst has farms.
No one in Northampton would admit to being a farmer.

Northampton is proud of its Republican President Calvin Coolidge.
Amherst doesn't recognize the existence of the Republican Party.

Amherst has a proud psychedelic heritage.
Northampton has a proud punk heritage.

Amherst has a gay population but it's non-political.
Northampton's gay population is here, it's queer and it's in your face!

In Amherst it is considered controversial to wave the flag.
In Northampton you can fly any damn flag you want, for any cause you can think of, any time of the day or night. 

 

Oh my, that little boy from The Wonder Years has really grown up.

 



As this welfare family greets the police arriving at their government housing project, the little one on the far right doesn't seem to quite grasp the concept.