journal

I had a hard time getting up in a timely manner this morning. I had a nightmare last night that woke me up; I still got more than enough sleep but it can disturb one's rest. Then, feeling depressed, I made my way to the restaurant at the university hotel. There, I had a prawn and spinach omelette. Yesterday or so, I had a crab and asparagus omelette. The old woman who runs the restaurant is a real friend. When I first arrived, I was quite depressed. She looked after me, letting me eat there on credit for a week until I got my money changed. Her place is the best and most expensive in town and a big breakfast runs just 1 American dollar.

As any thoughtful person can see, human activity has changed the world forever. Mastadons will never again wander over America; The tiger will never again rule the jungle. Nor are humans likely to give electricity back to the eels and the air back to the birds. Much of this change is for the worse. Instead of ever stampeding toward more powerful technologies, humans should have moved forward over eons, never out of hearing of nature's drumbeat, slowly learning the difficult dance of being both humane and civilized.

dedicated to my longtime, elder comrade Aaron Ashurst Seated here at this coffee-house booth. healthy confident couple next one over. a tiny girl with shiny strawberry hair. Such a wondrous manifestation of Gaiia's patient, vital forces of revival!!

last night's downpour did something to dispel the grime off the weathered concrete of this small city in central Thailand; there is a breath of new life in the fifty-foot palm over my backyard

This morning, I woke up around noon to the song of a gecko outside my window. After showering, dressing, and taking a handful of vtamins and herbal supplements, I was off to the Phetchamnung, "the first diamond," to have breakfast. The propietor is an old woman with wrinkled but vital skin, still full of fight. She's an important ally of mine because she had an English menu made for me and also serves the best food in the area of the school where I teach. When I arrived here, I was feeling quite down and her rowdy, cheerful manner helped me.

Hey Rich and company!, I hope the blessings are falling on you. That's a real bummer about Jeannie's allergy. My son is healthy and 3 months old now. Well, I have to carry the pepper spray for all the stray dogs and these monkeys have big teeth. Speaking of primates, have you heard about the bones of the hobbit humans they've discovered on Flores Island off of Indonesia?