OK, I take back one of my Mexican Hat spells: I'd like to hear more along the lines of "Code Pink".

In the News

I'm a news-binger: Something happens. I get so involved, that I get sucked into the news. I want news hourly, to the point of compulsion. Then I get so fed up with the whole thing, that I go without news for a few weeks.

Right now, I'm on the cusp of getting fed up. When I listen to the news, here's what I hear:

"And now the news. Intelligence officials said today that North Korea...Be very very afraid. Panic! Doom is impending! Expect quick annihilation, slow suffering, and excruciating pain!
... while Iraqi officials met with U.N. weapons inspectors to discuss...America is Number One. All others must bow to us. We are supreme!
...A report released today detailed how energy giant Enron created illegal tax shelters, thereby cheating taxpayers of millions of dollars without fear of being discovered...Forget about Enron! Irak is evil! Your government had nothing to do with Enron! Enron is being investigated, everyone will be brought to justice. Forget Enron! North Korea has ballistic missiles! Panic!
...Secretary of Homeland Security, Tom Daschle, adressed the American people today, explaining how duct tape and plastic sheeting may be used to... Buy duct tape! It's your only hope! Don't worry about civil liberties right now! Make your home airtight! The environment can take care of itself. Be sure your children are safe!
...Finally, we take a look at a town that celebrates its love affair with tractor seats. We spoke to Tom Johansson of Prairie Lake, Minnesota, about...Bush is God! Give praise unto him, for he protects the deserving! Offer up your prayers to him, and ye shall be saved!
...We return after this break.

OK. I'll tune back in when there is news of a cure for greed or self-righteousness.

It's my birthday. Here's what I want for a present:

Everytime anyone opens their mouth to say any of the following words: "weapons of mass destruction," "nine eleven," "tax break," or "possible war with Iraq," instead it gets turned into the first few notes of the Mexican Hat Dance. Because I am sick and tired of hearing those words.

My boss thinks that George W. Bush should get a Nobel Peace Prize. Because he has finally united two eternal enemies: France and Germany. I think he should get the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature. Because he sure does come up with some good stories. Even if the plots are a little repetitive and predictable.

Oh. Add to that list "code [any color]". And ANYTHING out of George W's mouth. Mexican Hat Dance all around.

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I've been trying to volunteer my time at some schools. It's just so depressing seeing the kids around here, the way they grow up, and what their future entails: living in a squalid apartment (if they're lucky), on drugs, overweight, or both. Because they really don't have much else to model themselves after. So my big idea was to step in and make a difference. It looks like I'll be volunteering at Jefferson Elementary around the corner, home of all the drug-addicted, abused, non-English speaking and homeless kids that none of the other schools want. I'm also looking into mentoring at the high school.

I went down to Eureka High for the first time. The Americorps people I talked to there were really supportive and excited that I wanted to help out. Then I left. I wish I had a picture of this, but I'll just have to describe it: When you leave Eureka High, you come out on J Street. You turn right to head downtown, and what is the first thing you see, all the way at the end of J Street? J Street dead-ends into the Humboldt county jail, largest building in Eureka (some say in Humboldt county). Every day they leave school, these kids are remined of what lies ahead.

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Okay, I'm usually not this depressing, but it's raining today after two weeks of sunshine. I bet if I lived somewhere where the sun always shines, I'd be the happiest, most well adjusted guy you've ever seen (and yet here I am, in one of the rainiest and foggiest parts of these United States). So I'd like to end this birthday post on a more positive note: The skunk cabbage is starting to bloom in Humboldt county. It's really spectaluar to see the bright yellow patches in the forest, and the plants really do smell like a skunk! According to some website I just found, "essence of skunkcabbage" is supposed to clean your mind of stale notions and make room for fresh inspiration! Hmmm...