Back in LA for an afternoon on business, we headed over to the Occupation before running more errands.  Again, it was a weekday.  Again, the mood was subdued.  As we wandered around the hodge-podge of makeshift housing looking for the supplies tent, my husband remarked, "They really need a greeter like Walmart."  I don't think he's ever set foot in a Walmart, but their reputation precedes them.  "Maybe if they followed some rules that have made corporations so successful, they might lure more people into the occupation.  Like Starbucks.  If you locate next to a Starbucks," he explains, "you'll get more foot traffic.  They've already done the marketing research for you."  I chuckled, "Starbucks is only two blocks away." 

Not able to find the food and supplies area where they'd been the week before, I headed over to the First Aid section with my Vitamin C.  The young man showed lovely gratitude for these fifty little tablets.  He explained that a power shift had taken place which caused the moving around of certain areas.  I laughed and said, "Politics always comes in to play."  He agreed with a hint of the irony at play lingering in his smile. 

While meandering around the back side of City Hall, we were invited to hear a lecture about the privatization of state universities, not by an occupier, but by an invited scholar.  I found myself drawn to the subject, but knew we'd have to leave.  All in all, I learned nothing new.  The music seemed worse than the last time so I was, once more, disappointed in myself for being so shy on my guitar.  There was, however, an up and coming rapper who had just completed a film with Jada Pinkett.  Now, I don't know if he had a chunky role or a background part.  He didn't specify.  I do know the sound system there is not so hot and without beats behind him, his rhythm didn't do it for me.  So much for the professionals. 

Before heading back to mainstream, a man stopped us to let us know the encampment planned to relocate to the State Park.  He told us of the location as though we'd been down the street from the park for years.  Apparently, the move is in response to the cities wishes that they get off the lawn.  The new encampment will allow certain conveniences while being off the grid.  In fact, anyone interested, according to the gentleman, can learn how to go entirely solar in their own homes for $1500.  Awesome.  Now, if the Occupy LA Theater troupe puts on better shows than the open mic'rs...

Regardless of the talent, it's pretty exciting to see these little cities pop up.  One of the sweetest, most peaceful professors I had in college taught sociology and didn't hide her anarchist regime.  The fact that she wasn't violent, angry, sixteen, or homeless caused me to revisit the anarchy argument.  In theory, I like it a lot, but didn't think it practical.  Looking around harmonious give and take and sharing of resources at Occupy LA, though, I wondered, "Is anarchy possible?  How long can it last?"