Hello hello,

I think a message to my dear friends, acquaintences, and people I respect is in order.  I have consciously withdrawn into my own missions, at the expense of contact with many of you.  Sorry about that.  I'll give a quick update on my status.  Meanwhile, ANY OHIO OR PENNSYLVANIA WEEARTH'ERS OUT THERE WANNA KICK IT, LEMME KNOW!

No success yet on the job hunt. Passed the 100-applications-sent mark, had a few interviews, am waiting for a few offers, had many rejections, and many applications that were never responded to.  Very frustrating, for many reasons.  Keeping my head up as much as I can. 

Still focusing on DC (1st choice) and Philly (2nd choice), but certainly have expanded the search along the east coast and ohio.  So a side mission of this message is to ask around - GOT ANY CONNECTIONS IN DC FOR ME? I decided I'm really good at working with kids... young ones. Worked with ones with autism before. And I know how to do research.  I've applied at many hospitals and research institutes.  I considered volunteering or teaching abroad, and haven't ruled that out.  If (God forbid) Obama doesn't win, that option is getting pushed higher up the priority list.

Having some quality time at home with the family.  and bless their hearts for tolerating the periods of funk that I've slipped into periodically.  Usually playing with the nephews pulls me out of those funks, but having a job would be a more permanent solution i think.  

I've watched a bunch of classic movies to catch up on the cultural essentials.  got a lot of knitting done during the movies, and am about halfway through my first afghan.  I recently started a big mission of copied all our family videos to DVD and reliving some amazing trips we've taken.  For some reason, I've gotten pulled over 4 times since I moved and rear ended one dude.  cali was the only place i was a good driver or something. so wish me luck at my upcoming court dates...

Cleveland is getting colder, but there are really nice days mixed in the nasty ones and that makes the nice ones that much better.  but the nasty ones make me miss california and my beautiful friends and the action of the city.  So the point is, and I hate admitting it, I'm a mess until I find some structure and a city that fits me. i don't want to be that kid that moves away and loses touch with everyone completely.  but without some stability here, i miss you guys too much to think about you yet.

i can't wait to give you all good news, and to hear yours, but i'm a little too wrapped up in myself to go there yet.

BUT I STILL LOVE YOU! AND I WISH YOU ALL KINDS OF GOODNESS...

If you haven't heard of them, the Nacirema people are a society that anthropologists began studying in the 50s.

The original article is called "Body Ritual among the Nacirema": https://www.msu.edu/~jdowell/miner.html

The relevant part is actually a follow up study of the people, and an explanation of how they may die out and disappear - with a valuable message for us. It is this article that made me post this blog. I think you'll get it eventually - let me know if you don't. Very witty - I like it. http://www.naturalhistorymag.com/master.html?http://www.naturalhistorymag.com/editors_pick/1972_12_pick.html

seems like the right place to ask.

I'm working on cutting down on the toxins going in my body, but there's a whole bunch that have been gathering in there throughout my partying years. So I'm asking for recommendations from you all on something gentle that won't make me sick when all the uck in my body comes out all at once. I know there's a lot of different ways out there, and I could just do the research myself, but I trust y'all more than the interweb.

thanks! from me and from my body!

I like those eVocal kids, and they tend to make good recommendations...

come check out the Patchwork Festival in Santa Ana on Sunday. eVocal will be there in full effect, with a booth and running the stage area. We have a great lineup of artists for your listening pleasure so come see Parker Macy, Paulie Pesh, White Feather, Mike Vitale, Davis (of Venus Infers) and Dolphin City play live. It's going to be a fun family affair so bring your kids, tell a friend and enjoy this creative arts community gathering...

I've been meaning to check this out for a while now. Anyone been here before? I'm all about it...

> PEACE AWARENESS LABYRINTH AND GARDENS INVITES YOU TO CONNECT WITH YOURSELF, SPIRIT, GRACE AND FORGIVENESS
>
> THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH, EXPERIENCE "OPENING TO GRACE THROUGH FORGIVENESS"
>
> JOIN US AT OUR SPIRITUAL SPA DAY WITH MARY ANN SOMERVILLE, MSIA MINISTER AND INSIGHT SEMINARS FACILITATOR
>
> Can we really forgive what seems to hurt us? Experience freedom and joy?
>
> This is a day about forgiveness: how to forgive those things that seem impossible to forgive, what keeps us from being able to forgive and how through Grace, all things can be healed and lifted. Forgiveness is a path of freedom and joy. When we can forgive all things we are open like children, joyous and free, able to receive all of God's blessings.
>
> Enjoy walking the outdoor Chartres-style labyrinth as a way to anchor-in your awarenesses and learnings.
>
> Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, including a gourmet brunch
> Check-in: 9:15 am
> Cost: $15 for brunch, workshop is free
> Please RSVP and pay in advance for brunch
> Location: Peace Awareness Labyrinth and Gardens, 3500 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018
> Registration: Call 323-737-4055 ext 1137 or email registrar@peacelabyrinth.org
> Visit: www.peacelabyrinth.org/events