A Very Very Short Ransom Note

How long until the United States crumbles under the weight of supporting a greedy empire? How long can a MRR columnist write about tour?

The correct answer to both questions is, “too fucking long.”

This has been a hell of a week, a hell of a month, a hell of a year!

Hmm. So, I think I will leave you hanging about tour. I will have to come back to that story next month.

Right now, things are pressing in on me, life is going full speed, and I’m whirling in the storm, trying to take it all in, trying to keep focused. Trying to get everything done!

This month, I’m in the midst of organizing La Rivolta!, a two-day anarcha-feminist festival in Boston, celebrating International Women’s Day. At this writing, there is exactly a month until the event, March 5-6. Holy Emma Goldman! Damn! Over the last month, La Rivolta has quickly become the largest single event I’ve ever helped put together, and also the most exciting. I have learned a lot in the process. For instance, I’ve never had to apply for an “entertainment license” from the city, made a web site in a day, or fronted so much money for an event. All things I’m doing for La Rivolta. I’ve been surprised by issues that the festival has brought up within the punk scene, and also energized that it has sparked so much debate and thought about gender, punk and even what a feminist-punk-anarchist event should look like. I would say that the best thing about the festival process so far is that it is gaining energy as more people become involved, and that it is extremely empowering that we are doing this ourselves. No one is telling us what our festival should include or what it should be like, what we can or cannot do. We are doing this ourselves!

And for me, the process is just as important as the end result. I’m sure that I will write more about it, but for now I’d just like to thank Mari, Gretchen, Lucho and James for all the nights of scheming, planning, debate and dreams about this event, and all the volunteers who have contacted us and gotten involved over the last few weeks. You rock!

Also, I want to thank Nicole for a wonderful conversation during her interview project that brought up and questioned the very meaning and basis of gender in our lives. Our culture is not going to budge or change an inch until all of us begin to ask the hard questions, and help each other search for answers.

Another thing going on personally is that I’m changing my life in dramatic ways. I’ve given notice at the cable access station where I’ve worked for the last four years, so I can have more time for tour and traveling. This is a huge step, and I’m excited about the possibilities, but also concerned about finding a job to pay the rent when I come home. But that worry will have to wait. My video projects are in the works, and at the moment I’m organizing a group calling ourselves the Daughters of the Video Revolution to video tape La Rivolta and create a documentary about the event that will hopefully capture the information, energy, music and spirit of the day.

I am also moving to a new apartment at the beginning of March! So, my next column will be written from my new room, after living in my current apartment for over five years. It will be much cheaper than the place I’m in now, but my future room needs a little work…like a door for instance, and a fresh coat of paint to cover over the stains on the walls…yikes. Punk rock! I will also be getting rid of most of my belongings over the next month, preparing to travel and move out to San Fran for the summer.

Things are hectic and furious, but also exciting and full of possibilities. So, this column is just a very short Ransom “note.” Next month I promise much more.

But for now, I’ve got to go. Lots to do!

Don’t forget, you have the power to change your life, and make things happen. And when we work together and combine our energies and ideas, the possibilities can seem boundless.

Check out www.larivolta.org and contact me at ransom@theprofits.org.

In Solidarity and Blazing Guitars, Erika