Two things coming up on the horizon :

• Editing my W-4 at my current job such that no amount is automatically paid to the IRS. It makes no sense for me to pay for penalties while I’m still contributing to what I’m standing against.
• Searching for a venue/space for a first/last Thursday event here in PDX in which to host a performance art exhibition. The idea is to make repayment to the IRS by sending a hand-written check for every cent owed with the name of a fallen soldier in the memo. According to Antiwar.com, that would bring us to 5,563 names (hence 5,563 checks). If I’m going to repay it, they’re sure as hell going to have to go to great lengths to get their money.

Things have to change one way or another. In an environment where you’re encouraged to “live socially” while hiding behind a mobile phone or computer where you are sharing your experiences, it becomes difficult to build momentum for this change. I’ve struggled with the idea of effective protests for a while – always reaching the same hardening conclusion that my message ultimately will not be heard. Today, I decided to do what I can, in a way that I think can have direct effect and catch some attention. I’ve decided to protest the wars (and the bloated military budget en masse) by withholding a certain portion (54%) of my 2009  tax payment to the IRS.

There are numerous resources, essays and articles available on the web that discuss this idea. I’ll quickly direct you to www.warresisters.org , wartaxboycott.org, and the original inspiration for my actions – http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/04/13-4.

Below is a copy of the letter that was attached to my payment to the IRS and to the State of Oregon. I intend to send this letter to a few newspapers in the region as well, as this is an elephant in the room that I can no longer ignore.

—
April 15th, 2010

This letter is to serve notice that I am conscientiously objecting to ongoing war efforts by refusing to pay the portion of my taxes budgeted towards military spending. This includes the current military occupation in Iraq, operations in Afghanistan, the “War on Terror” and all other military operations and research.

I can no longer continue to willingly put my tax dollars in the hands of a goverment so hypocritical, so violent and so insolent. I will no longer continue to fund a government that praises the spirit of democracy, the beaty of life, the pursuit of happiness yet continues to wage pointless, unwinnable wars – killing hundreds of thousands of civilians and innocent people. I cease paying into a budget that prioritizes weapons research over education spending. My money will not be used to hire private contractors and military personnel, held unaccountable, to slay innocent people in the name of freedom and to extort all involved along the way. More people die here at home from cancer, car accidents, cigarettes, diabetes than people from the so called “war on terror”, or non-existent WMDs, or any other false threats from “madmen” around the world. THOSE are the perils I want my government to provide protection from – these are the things that kill our brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers in our neighborhoods.

Cities, towns and states across America are failing in every way, unable to provide the fundamental necessities for life we’ve all been promised.  We see a lack of mental health and social services, non-profit universal healthcare,  a robust, effective education system. Quality of life is or has diminished for too many people here, subverted to war profiteering and murder through a bloated military budget complicity created by my “representation”.

Since my government still hasn’t received the message – perhaps this will catch your attention. Credible sources estimate 54% of the 2009 federal budget will go to military spending – which is the portion that I have opted to withhold.

Peace and prosperity before all else,

Evan Reeves

–

Rehearsed today with Jack and a new friend who is playing bass with us. All is going well so far, it’s fun to play some big rock. As is required, we’re outside taking a break with some beverages and smokes for those who partake.

There’s not much that needs to be said about this. World Naked Bike Ride 2009 here in Portland, Oregon. Clothing becomes the new being naked. You’ll feel out of place for certain if you’re still wearing something during the ride. It was a great ride except for the huge bottleneck downtown near Burnside where a lot of people had to end up walking their bikes instead of riding. This year seemed much larger than last, I’d guess well over 3,000 beautiful naked people taking to the streets.

The season for late night bike rides is upon us. Tonight was the first ride I joined for pedalpalooza 2009 – the midnight mystery ride. The idea is that all cyclists meet up at a location before the ride (at midnight) which then leaves to the secret location. Only a few people leading the group know where it will end up. It’s a great event – riders of all backgrounds and bikes of all types. There were bikes covered in lighting, there were bike sidecars, there were bike boomboxes, there was even a bike grill (propane tank included). A wholly amicable group where socializing is easy and definitely encouraged. Pictured here is a tall bike covered in EL wire that was sound-responsive. Pretty neat.

I did done just cut my hair. I’m getting good at cutting a nice tight pomp these days.

Much needed date tonight with the missus. We headed down to Dot’s cafe for a large portion with a small price tag. Afterwards we went across the street to Savoy, which is a wine bar. Everything in there is related to Wisconsin in one way or another, not really sure why. This is too-shallow DOF picture of the jukebox that they had keeping all the patron’s ears happy.

Just playing around with Aperture a little bit.

There is something rewarding about seeing your band name on a marquee. It’s kind of neat to know that someone spent time putting my name up there! Justin and I had a show tonight at Kelly’s Olympian, where were pinch hitting for another band unable to make the show.

If you haven’t ever picked your own strawberries, I highly suggest you do. As part of Katie and I’s six month anniversary, we went to Sauvie’s Island to pick some strawberries and enjoy other various activities they offer. Suffice to say, I’ve never had a strawberry so juicy before. We sat beneath this big beautiful tree for a while before we came back to Portland proper whereupon we cooked a fabulous lobster dinner to celebrate the occasion.

These are four young couchsurfers that stayed at my house for a few days. They’re amidst a road trip from Minnesota to the West coast. If you haven’t checked it out, couchsurfing.com is a very fun and useful site. It’s a grand opportunity to meet some very excellent people while you travel.

I went to go hang out with Ms.Ellie tonight and have our normal craft night. On the way home down Interstate I spotted this lot full of empty cargo truck haulers. Possessing the affinity for patterns and things repetitious in demeanor, I was obligated to attempt a photo of these fine trucks.

Roommate bought himself a new ddrum 4 piece kit. He’s still got his old one plus extras. Sometimes I think it’d be fun for both of us to set up our kits into some 20 piece kit reminiscent of something Neil Pert might play.

Saturday saw a quickly planned camping trip to Manhattan beach on the coast of Oregon with some friends. The beach was unlike anything that I’d ever seen – driftwood as far as the eye could see up the coast, at least 600 feet in width from the coast further back to the dunes. Saying driftwood is a bit misleading as there were whole trees of considerable size interwoven with one another and stuck in the sand. We built this fantastic amphitheater-like structure to shelter our fire from the wicked winds. I have a few more pictures from this visit but I liked this one best – it paints a very bleak and hopeless portrait of a one living forest.

Read more on my photoblog at <a href=”http://www.evanreeves.com/blog”>evanreeves.com/blog</a>

Today marks the one year anniversary of my photoblog. It makes me really happy to have made it to this point. Despite having missed some days, it’s very rewarding to be able to look back at the variety of photos from the previous year. Its been pulling double duty by allowing me to explore photography as a hobby and serving a higher purpose by allowing me to keep a journal of all the things that I do. I look forward to using this past year as a great lesson to make this next year even better. Here is the cake I bought for the occassion.