Spent too much of the day arguing the trivial aspects of life and the trappings of one's own limited perspective. Strange how we humans can become so easily dislodged from our place in this world by our own limits and desires. I've been going through a serious period of material acquisition and find myself to be no more or less happy than I was prior to the onslaught of this bi-product of modern living, but I do find myself considering where to put the stuff and how to safeguard it all on a regular basis as of late. It's just stuff, and in the end (either mine or the stuff's), it will still be just stuff. Perhaps I should just stuff it...

John Kerry seems to be coming alive with the addition of John Edwards to the ticket, but I still wonder if it's possible to flip the ticket at this point and have Edwards as the lead man??? In the end I wonder if it really matters who America's figure-head is, because I think the real driving forces of this country lay in the realm of BIG BUSINESS and corporate malfunction run amok. Does anyone who may read this really feel they have a "voice" anymore, especially when your voice speaks contrary to conventions embossed deeply into the DNA of the ruling class? I'll always vote because my conscience tells me that to complain I must first voice my political opinion, but it seems more and more futile the further down life's road I travel. How about we all undertake a human agenda instead, void of politics, capitalism, and the burning/blinding need to win! Our campaign slogan could be: GIVE PEACE A CHANCE...PRACTICE RADICAL EMPATHY...EVERYDAY!

A movie recommendation, even if you have no interest in ever becoming a surfer. "Step into Liquid" is an awesome visual spectacle, as well as an extremely soulful assessment of what surfing means to those of us who feel the "stoke", regardless of our level of ability. The film also has a 'heart' of great magnitude and may very well get you at a surprisingly deep level. If you watch it, let me know what you felt. My son Ray and I watched it Monday night and I'm taking him on his first surfing mission this Friday. In light of the not-so-distant disfunction of our father-son relationship this is a minor miracle, and causes a grin to crease my face even now...

Good night all. Strive to avoid confusion caused by appearance. Life is what we make it, but it is also what we don't make it. Follow your hearts, believe your dreams...