re-establish myself as the neo-flower-child, semi-preppy, capitalist-tree-hugging, do-gooding, soulful, tuxedo-wearing, mensch that I originally set out to be

and strangely enough 0% of the 339 people who took the 43 things personality quiz to date are like me.

Somehow being 1 in 339 isn’t the same as 1 in a million ….but its fascinating to see that the 43T quiz proved me to be pretty much what I seek in this goal.

This reminds me of that Scripture about specks and planks, well, not exactly as that was about finding fault with others, but the theme in Scripture was about not spotting what is right in front of you.

In today’s New York Times, on the editorial pages, Mitt Romney opines of the American Automotive Industry and the need to allow these companies to deal with bankruptcy organization in its entirety (no bailout).

“Starving research and development is like eating the seed corn.”

His lament regarding Detroit is symptomatic of the entire national psyche. We’ve all done it : avoided the future and thought only of today. Most of those big screem TVs, SUVs, Dolce and Gabana glasses, Coach bags, and French Connection shirts really were not neccessary. Really not neccessary? Definitely not neccessary. But we bought them, en masse, eating our seed corn, in the form of credit card debt and extreme mortgages. Much of the Nation is looking around today and see only a bitter harvest.

Oh! What we students of the Secret can teach the Nation! Just because there isn’t much seed corn left for next seasons harvest – there is enough to start thinking about the season after that, and the season after that, and the one after that too.

Romney’s call is for Detroit to spend its resources developing products that are truly top shelf. But his call should not end there. We’re Americans dammit! We invented the second chance, the comeback, and have too many times been the recipients of “dang, I never expected that.”

As crazy and painful as these times may be, now is the ideal time for all of us to really look at our stock of seed corn and evaluate how this will lead to a more abundant harvest next season.

I for one will be evaluating my fields in the next few days to see what I need to harvest, what needs to be sown, what I should sow soon and what fields should be allowed to go fallow.

In this election cycle Michigan has become the 13th state to make medical marijuana legal.

Praise and honor to the good people of Michigan for putting common sense above superstition!

Anyone who has worked with cancer patients, particulary those going through chemotherapy treatments, know the suffering and often indignity they suffer. Marijuana can make the process easier for them.

Its refreshing to see people get out and vote not for themselves, but for neighbors and strangers who suffer. (now we just need to work on the other 37 states!)

Its a great time to be an American!

Where is it written that our lives are not full and complete unless we are attached to someone else ?

I have a very strange feeling that once people become really comfortable with themselves, enough that they don’t even think about wanting to fill some space in their life with another person, is when that other person comes along not to fill a space in your life, but to share the life you already have.

Too many of us look to others around us to fix us, to fill needs, to patch those rough spots, but the truth of the matter is that we are the only ones who can do that for ourselves. Sure, people can cheer us on when challenged, but our happiness is determined by ourselves, not those around us.

Only when we are whole, can we truly give of ourselves to others.

You say Liberal like its a bad thing! (pinhead)

In the 1970’s it was Liberals like Mothers Against Drunk Driving who sought harsh penalties for DUI offenses. And Liberals who successfully had chemicals like DDT and Chlordane taken off the market.

Back in the 1960’s it was the Liberals who fought for the Civil Rights Act. Back in the 1960s it was Liberals who included Medicare and Medicade in the Social Security Act – these programs have become the principle source of healthcare for most of our elderly.

In the 1950’s it was liberals who fought for, and got Detroit to start including safety features such as shattering (versus splintering) glass.

In the 1940’s it was Liberals who were at the forefront of the creation of the GI Bill.

In the 1930’s it was Liberals who created the Social Security Administration. (hhhhmmm, all those old white folks who blame liberals for everything, wonder if they would put their money where their mouth is and send back those monthly checks)

In the 1800’s it was Liberals like John Brown who spoke out against slavery.

And in 1776 it was Liberals who Declared the Independence of the United States.

So go ahead – call me a Liberal – I am in some pretty good company!

so green, so fruity, so fantastic!

I have made a habit of choosing California Olive Oils for their impeccable flavour, but I have realized that they not only preserve the agricultural traditions (and thereby prevent the spread of condo ranches) but also require less fuel for transport. It’s the best of all worlds.

a few weeks ago I spotted an old fridge at the curb, drove past, and by the time I doubled back it was gone – ARGH !

It was one of those 1950’s style refrigerators, the ones that are more bulbous than square, and it was seafoam green. I really wanted it for the door which I would hang on a wall somewhere and serve as place for magnetic poetry.

The hunt for something cool that will serve as a base for magentic poetry will continue …

I think the new espresso machine fits into this goal perfectly ! (sometime soon I will tell the story of the espresso machine)

My horoscope today :

Moderation feels like a cop-out right now. Go large or go home! If you’re up, you’re flying. If you’re down, you’re all the way down. Learning to experience these extremes helps you ride them out like an expert.

Large & Flat, Up & Down, such extremes, sorta like….um….Black Tie & Flip Flops ? ? ? ? ?

Going from the rockstar feel of yesterday morning where I was, lets face, as much of a rockstar as one can be at a Toastmasters meeeting, to today where I was snarfed on at a critical point of the Gospel, and maintained my dead on stiff Anglican posture until the reading ended, reaffirms to me how the contrasting aspects of my life are the things that energize me, that make me what I am, and give me the strength to change the world around me, and along the way show others a really great time.

oofdah !

Three other people have adopted this goal.

Medication. Lots of medication is needed.

Now !