In my opinion, and I know that it doesn't count for much more than that,  I have to say that our Republican Representatives in Washington did the right thing this morning by shooting down this bailout plan, or excuse my language, the "Recovery Plan" (oh please).  The fact that the Democrats, on the other hand, pushed for it in significant numbers troubles me, but then again, Dems are usually the ones pushing for more oversight and regulation, while Reps prefer smaller government.   In most cases, health care, education, and other social services, I do prefer the Democratic point of view, but this time, on this absolutely ridiculous idea that more debt can solve a problem of debt, just seems like the wrong idea at this point.  I would agree to more regulation, but not to the 3/4 of a trillion dollars for a few massive banks.  Of course, like always, I could be wrong.  I don't get much in the way of information out here, other than reading the Internet news (and I think we all know how reliable that can be). 

I know its boring to most, but I have to say something political again.

I'm tired, but just finished watching the presidential debate and thought I had to get my two cents out of my head so that I can sleep peacefully.  I have to admit that I went into the show with my biases, but I tried to remain open so as to be better informed for the election and I'll say that I hold McCain in higher esteem, but will still vote for Obama because of several issues that I feel are important that he represents and McCain does not.  I thought McCain represented well his understanding of the world and it's leaders.  I thought he also showed real concern and love for the country, and would make a great ambassador, but as president I think he seriously misses the point.  I think over the last 30 some odd years in the Senate should have given him ample time to learn the lessons of Washington, but he still fell for the crying wolf tactics of the current moron in power.    He kept trying to portray himself as a Reagan follower rather than a Bush man and then he kept trying to misrepresent Obama and portray him as naive.   I think these ideas failed miserably.  I can see why nearly half the country likes the guy, but we're not idiots.  We can see passed the politics.  I thought Obama did a better job than McCain at speaking to the overall "feeling" in America that we're tired of the games and are in need of some serious growing up in Washington.   I remember when I was in grade school and when I fought with my friends we ignored each other for days, well I don't expect that same thing to happen with grown men/women who are leading us.  I just think Obama speaks to the world better than McCain does and we need reconciliation right now, not 30 some odd years of unlearning.   But with that said, I like McCain.  He has served the country and I admire that, but to be 72 and still be making the same mistakes that you did when you were new-b just doesn't jive-yo.  

So this was a tag from B.  The only problem I had was that there were only three pics in the fourth folder and the next one down was a movie....so here's a movie of the Stink:

I tag Riley, Giselle, Tiff, and the Guinea Pigs

Man, It's like 8 oclock my time, but I'm out in AZ again for a job.  It'll be a quick trip, but I'm definitely missing Alli already.  Bastian I can wait to see though...Naa, he's a good kid and I kinda sorta miss him?

Let's see, we left at 8 this morning and arrived in Phx about 8 hours later.  It's weird how some drives can seem like they get shorter as you make them over and over, but this one just seems to be eight strong hours every &$(#&%* time.  I'm not ungrateful for the work though, in fact, I'm very happy to be out here to visit quickly and to earn a few bucks.  I'm sure I don't need to remind you that we do have a small home of mud to sculpt soon.    And although there will be a minimal discount for the structural materials, there will still be substantial cost to be able to live sustainably.  

You know what I thought was funny on the way over though?  That on many of these SUV's  passing by doing like 110 miles per hour, there were these bumper stickers that valiantly proclaimed (or rather demanded) "God Bess America".   I find it ironic that these drivers (and I'm certainly not perfect here, but I'm not driving around with the sticker either) can even ask God to bless these great States when they're polluting the grand country and destroying the air our grandchildren are going to breathe.   I'm not saying that you have to buy the whole climate change bit to understand my point here.  What I'm thinking is that any sane person doesn't want to have to drink polluted water, eat polluted food, nor do they want to breathe polluted air.  So I'm suggesting that perhaps they should think about taking the stickers off their giant vehicles until they can learn to meet God half way.  But who am I to judge???  I mean really, I certainly have no right to judge.  Maybe they are doing a lot in another area, say perhaps, they are feeding the homeless, clothing the naked or somethings noble like that.   I'll never know, but I still can't help thinking as they burn gasoline at twice the rate of the average traveler with their proud stickers on board, that they are living a hypocritical life.   And if you read my post a few days ago, then you'll understand completely why I'm weak.  

I woke up this morning with the weirdest thought in my head.  Since it was the first thing that I thought of and now I'm sticking it out there into the blogosphere, I'm probably gonna have to take it down eventually out of self-respect.   It seems to me that since a young age we all have this idea in our head that what we know is right and we're pretty damn stubborn about it.  I'm talking about everything from how tasty ants are as the wriggle down the esophagus to our little ideas about how love works and how we keep it in our lives.  I'm not sure why I was thinking about it, but the contrasting thought is that we all think we're so open-minded, and I think we can all agree that our own ways work for each of us, which is absolutely the opposite of openness.   If we're thinking in terms of "our ways" isn't that owning a set of principles or rules to which we do not stray because we have experience that tells us that ants do not taste good and that if I do this or that to someone they will leave my life?  To me, that suggests an amount of stubbornness, or unforgiving of a past event to either yourself or someone else.   I once read a book by a guy named Krishnamurti that suggested that true love holds no stubbornness, is open to each moment as if it were brand new, and forgives at an instant.   I can see his point, I can Jesus's point, I can see Muhammad's point, I get it.  But why don't any of us live it?  At this point in my life I think a nice balance might be as far as I can go.   Perhaps someday in the future I'll be more capable of instant forgiveness so that I'm open to new things constantly.  I can certainly see the joy that would come from that.  O, to be less stubborn.

Well if I had to guess, I would say we have about three to five days left on the road.  Whoever said you couldn't build a mountain road with a backhoe?  I'll be the first to admit that it has been a bit freaky at times because it's way tippy, but we've managed.  Rob has kept a steady pace in front of me felling trees, but he's just about finished.  He can actually turn left now and head straight over to the house that Alli and I will build.   

Alli started testing cakes today for Rob and Betsy's reception.  Mmmm mmmm goooood.  She is going to make six different cakes before and have us test each one and then make the cake out of the one that we like the best.  I love my job.  

Let's see, what's Bastian been up to other than being stinky?  Not much.  He's been a little sick lately, probably because Gogo force fed him junk food all week last week (hahahaha, I crack me up).   I think he's doing much better although he's still having a hard time coping with being two-years-old.  For some reason he still thinks that he's the center of the earth, and that throwing tantrums is the way we all get what we want.  When is he gonna realize that no one really ever gets what they want out of life, we all get what we need whether we think we like it or not.  

  

Wink, aren't I sexy?

This is Alli and I at the music stage at the Raw Food Festival.  I have to be honest, I wasn't really looking forward to this event, but I had a great time and learned a ton of useful information that we'll employ back on the farm (spit).   There was some good sustainability info and older folks who had been raw for over 40 years that were spry and intelligent beyond the sagest I have met.  I'm glad we made it up there, and I owe Chris a big thanks for the ticket.

Man this week has been great so far.  I've got so much to be thankful for...I feel very fortunate.

Well, I rushed the first two chapters on to the blog at jimmysplacetoreign.blogspot.com for the book and made a lot of errors and really wasn't satisfied.  I changed it a bit, so hopefully it's somewhat little more readable.  

Ok, the first chapter to the book can be read at: http://jimmysplacetoreign.blogspot.com/

I'm not an editor, so pardon the grammar.  I've tried writing several books before, but this one seems to be a more thought out vision in my head, so I'm hoping that you all enjoy it somewhat.

I just got online to check out the costs of mason jars and got completely sidetracked.   We're in Phx right now, we arrived early this morning.  Alli did most of the driving this time, which was nice.  I read aloud the fifth Harry Potter.  Yes, I know, it's been a month and we're still on that book.  What can I say; I'm a slow reader.  It was an interesting ride over this time, because it was Bastian that had the gas instead of me, and when he wasn't sleeping he was quietly reciting the ABC's, or spelling out letters from the trucks driving by.  Night driving....gotta love it.

Boy what a sad couple of days we've had here. It's rough seeing family drive off from a place that is theirs, but they feel that cannot claim as of now. I hope that circumstances change soon, so that this land can be properly occupied. It feels too vacant without all of you. Rob, Alli, and I had to throw ourselves into our work to ease the loss we all feel. Needless to say, the road advanced considerably today and Rob actually worked all day and is now down in Alamogordo to get new chain for the big chainsaw, so that we're not held up for tomorrow's push. "Manners"(just for you dad), I love operating a backhoe, and I think Adam found a new love as well.
My favorite part of the weekend was playing Quelf with the group the first night Adam and Anya were here. The seven or eight of us laughed for about three straight hours, probably because of Wil's fake laugh. It was nice to have such a variety of people too, each adding to the diverse conversation and personal edification. Most of all though, I owe all of you so much for contributing to Bastian's life. He loves being with all of you, although I think Ella and Johnny are perhaps his favorites (more than even his parents).
If any of you haven't played this game Quelf, I highly recommend it. We played it three or four times in three days and I have to say that it is perhaps one of things I like to share most, well besides a good Tool album anyway. Speaking of music, Betsy, Alli and Jess all sang a song in different harmonies, which was spectacular. We also got Alli and Jess recorded singing one of Alli's originals. It sounds so good. I'll try and figure out a way to get it on here.
Oh, and one more thing: I've recently started a new story that I'd like to post by chapter on a different blog. It's a about a boy who has an inward ability to talk to things that normally wouldn't react to conversation. I know, I know, it doesn't sound that interesting, but perhaps what I lack in imagination will be made up simply in curiosity for the unknown. I have to admit that I'm a little hesitant to put it out there, but soon enough, soon enough, I'll have the courage to get that first chapter posted. I'll let ya know...