dear friends,

yesterday, woman says to daughter, i think that’s him

says to me, are you the hula hoop man?

why yes i am

and within minutes i have sold 3 heavy hoops and 1 medium gage rainbow hoop

and bmore is further along in this revolution

the concept of revolution requires much metaphorical configuration but

is aided by all of our literal understandings

bmore needs revolution

our brothers and sisters are hurting

two days ago i went into the cut over by bon secours hospital on fayette for a block party, invited by a cool mom who hula hooped with me at lake montebello and asked if i do community work with the hoops, i said yes, gave her my card and she called and i went 

hula hoops and grills, bumpin front stoops and a hint of marijuana in the air, light rain in one of our city’s heaviest areas, where

usually men of my complexion are not found except in uniform ugliness or seeking drugs

even in “protecting” the innocent citizens of fayette st. they tend to brutalize

and it wasn’t like i didn’t feel this knowledge of the community about my outsidedness 

but the kids and i had a freakin blast and tho it was hectic like the block, i lost few if any hoops because even when they disappeared into houses the kids (who talked to me and knew my deal by the time i had to go) were diligent about collecting my hoops.  one beautiful girl won a hoop in a contest, she was very proud

it is the kind of simple pride this city could use more of

i forgot my box of tape in the middle of the street and when i went back to get it, as evening was approaching, the block party now in full late-afternoon swing, i got my real taste of west baltimore hospitality.  the box of tape was gone but various people helped me locate it and then i was given a huge plate of delicious homecooked food from the mom who invited me.  i felt like a foreigner who was being treated wonderfully by curious hosts.  why is it that in this city no local man or woman can feel at home everywhere?  the gulf of wealth and culture difference from place to place is stunning, but trancendable.   it is a crime against humanity but we can fight back.  this is revolution.

on a seperate but related note, i found two people today willing to help with the design of the world’s largest hoop, which i will be attempting to hoop with on sept. 13th at noon at wyman park dell.  i hope to see you there.  i am very hopeful that the record will be broken.

peace,

spilly