5. Bottom line: I expect we are in for DAYS AND DAYS of protests. Hell, there’s gonna be one at 9am Monday to demand the head of the SEIU be released from jail. And while I pray life remains normal for us on the outskirts of this powder keg, I have no idea what will happen next.

It feels quiet now. But it’s tense. Police are attempting to clear the streets in the narrow slice of downtown that is the primary “hot spot” (so far). The governor just said he will sue the administration on Monday for unconstitutionally sending in federal troops, and demanded he rescind them.

3. it’s still a horrifying abuse of federal power, and most skirmishes were instigated by the authorities. Peaceful protestors were attacked, arrested, teargassed. But still, in most places in LA, it was background noise. Life went on.

2. In the afternoon, crowds started getting tear gassed. Fights broke out. Later a group of dozens briefly shut down a ramp and one lane of the 101 Freeway. A car was on fire somewhere. It was not “Riots” or chaos like most media said. HOWEVER…

1. All morning & midday, until at least 2pm, hundreds of people - your fellow Americans - marched and chanted and protested peacefully. Mostly downtown, in a small radius. LAPD kept a tense peace. A few hundred National Guard troops stood around menacingly.

Nickel Creek: Celebrants

Look what one week of unchecked GOP rule has wrought. Two years of it will do a generation’s worth of damage. Four years will be the nail in America’s coffin. And right now, electorally, that seems to be the most likely outcome.

…that enough people feel betrayed by this, and get mad as hell, and that Democrats (or some other party) can harness that anger and offer a better alternative, and their message reaches enough people to remove the GOP’s grip on power. The 2026 midterms are the most important election of our life…

Surprisingly, my wife and i only had to run downstairs and break up two fights last week. The kiddos have been pleasantly civil so far.

PRAY SCHOOL IS OPEN ON MONDAY

Whole family played a game of Catan that nearly ended in tears, involved a glare-off between me and 11yo, and was ultimately won by 7yo.

11yo beat Zelda Echoes of Wisdom with 100% completion. They are now planning a speedrun.

7yo devoured an adorable mobile game, a word puzzler about time traveling bears. I am now also obsessed with it.

Real trees also provide the thrill of living with an imminent fire hazard in your home for several weeks. Fun!