The basis of prison abolition is not the idea that we should replace prision with something else. We start by understanding that it is the structure of our society that creates and perpetuates systems of crime and punishment. The emphasis on punishment does little or nothing to address the safety, health and property rights of the public. So it can be seen that it is a public problem that requires a public solution: the vast resources spent on catching and punishing people would be better spent on prevention by making mental health, substance abuse and addiction treatment affordable and available to everyone.

Rather than punish, a greater effort could be made to help rehabilitate people who have lost control of themselves and their lives, to restore them to living in harmony within their communities. Of course there will always be a small proportion of the population that are unable to healthy lives, unable to resist resorting to theft, violence, and desperate attempts at self-medication. Such persons do not benefit from punishment.

When I moved north, I realized there are only two seasons here: looking forward to summer, and dreading winter.

Beach.

Ha! A dumb mistake, I deserved that.

Ha! A dumb mistake, I deserved that.

I had to marry my wife because all my life I had been looking for someone to jam with. I have met some great musicians, many people far more talented than I am, but it was always hard to find someone who I could instantly and easily connect that flow with and rock out together.

When I met my wife and I heard her strum and sing for the first time I knew she was special. I don’t know how to describe it but our musics can connect in a very easy and pleasing way. She has many other excellent qualities, and in addition she’s hot, but that musical connection is the one essential thing that brought us together. I feel so connected to her, she is my best friend forever and it all started from sharing musical joy together.

I keep it on new.

I sometimes randomly think of that girl on the bus and wonder where she is and how she’s doing.