Richard Butchins's Blog: Angels stand corrected... - Posts Tagged "usa"

We had elections over here in the EU this week. It's kind of like electing Congress in the State's, anyway the right wing made some progress and the media have gone nuts about it, like it's the political equivalent of a killing spree. I'm planning a trip to the USA end of the week - got some filming to do for a project called - "213 things about me"... It's not about me but about someone else, a rather special person... I will reveal more soon.

I have to visit LA, Portland, Chicago, Olympia (lovely place near Seatle) Eugene, Oakland and a place called Timber Oregan (population 131) all in 7 days. Organising this has been stressful.

But it will be worth it as its the start of a poignant and moving project. I will be researching and filming material about a talented but disturbed young woman.

Watch this space.....

Wow! Every cliche just came true. I was robbed at gunpoint in Oakland California on Sunday afternoon in the park. I was filming an interview with someone who knew the woman I am making art about, when two teenage african american males arrived - waving 9mm handguns - complete with extended capacity magazines - in my face. I mean that literally, one young man of about 16 pushed the nozzle of his manhood (in the form of a firearm) into my face.

They stole all the camera kit and all the footage along with it, which I imagine they sold for $500 in another park to buy drugs - for they were very stoned as they robbed me and my colleagues.

Then someone called the police who turned up and wrote a lot of things down apologised for their countrymen's behaviour and left. The local residents told me that it was a nice safe neighbourhood.

It didn't feel safe...oh and they stole my medication as well - so now I am crazier and poorer than usual.