The Sublime Roundabout

So my daughter and I had an interesting conversation the other day. We'd been on a date - we went to see "Warcraft" (her choice) and ate at Zupas (her choice) - and as the only place we could find in Utah that was playing the film Monday afternoon was in Pleasant Grove, we had a nice long drive together as well. It was a very pleasant evening. During the drive, we'd passed by some homes with photo voltaic cells on the roof. You've seen them - they're usually called "solar panels"... ...and she asks me - dad, why don't we have more of these kinds of systems in the world? We talked about how the world needs energy, and that right now the cheapest form of energy is burning stuff to make electricity. People have been burning things forever. We burn wood for heat and light, for cooking meals and communication, and for protection and even celebration. We burn coal for heat as well, but also for use in manufacturing and electricity production. ...

Every time I hear someone say "do do", as in if someone were to say - they don't do that, but what they "do do"... I have to suppress a giggle. Because. Do Do... HAHAHAHA I know. I'm still 12. ;)

Somewhere In my heart of hearts (There is such a place, you know) (You do know... You've been there) I wonder what love really is And maybe there's something wrong with me That keeps you from loving me The way I need to be loved I don't know. I'll never know. What I do know is  That I love you And I'm willing to abandon what I need For you And maybe that's love

Oh, this makes my heart ache. Just. Look at this... Alfred Stevens - Le Bain (1867)

Perhaps this is the best part of the election cycle - the fodder for comedians. Bring it on!

I've always loved the Tetons. Ever since I was a young boy, I've loved to see these majestic mountains. You can see the Grand Teton and Mount Moran from my grandfather's porch. My parents got engaged on the shores of Jenny Lake. And I have relished the opportunities in my life to bask in the glory of the Tetons. There is something about the mountains in the West. Having recently been in Korea, I got to do a little exploring and hiking of my own. The mountains there are more ancient, both in time as well as in spirit, and they feel different - more cultured, more elegant, and subdued, bordering on the sublime and contemplative. One feels the footprints of the millenia marching across their sculpted monoliths, and the hand prints of generations of people. The mountains in the West are not that. They are rugged and harsh. They are young and full of energy. One does not go into the Rockies to set up a Buddhist retreat - one goes into the Rockies with only the thought of...

I am kind of already bored with the election cycle. The trouble is, neither candidate really excites me. At all. They both kind of repulse me, if I'm honest, so I'm finding I'm becoming apathetic. The truth is, I don't want either one to be president, and so I'm stuck with having to decide between which one I prefer less. It's Mr. Trump, obviously. So my vote will most likely go for Ms. Clinton. But man, I don't love it. A coworker of mine pointed out that perhaps this is just another sign that the people are getting to the point that there's no return... In airplane parlance, this is the point at which there is insufficient fuel to turn around and safely get back to where you started. Once you reach this point of no return, there's no turning back - you must proceed onward until you get to the final destination. I don't know if I believe that necessarily - besides, where would one return to in this metaphor anyway? Did that place ever exist ...

I dreamed of you again last night It was sublime One of those dreams when I wished I could Go back to sleep and keep dreaming It was so warm and loving and peaceful Just seeing you near Hearing your voice again Talking about everything and Nothing at all I wonder if you ever dream of me Somehow, I doubt it You were never a dreamer Me, I dream with my eyes open Each heartbeat is another ripple In the bedspread of time That covers my dreams

I am a dreamer. I hope for a world that is not yet, but could be. I am both naive and innocent, which is both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes at the same time. I believe in the inherent goodness of people. I very strongly believe that most people choose to do good because it is good most of the time. I am not ignorant of the failings of people. I just see the good far outweigh the bad. I am ignorant of too much, however. And I'm working on that, as much as I can. One of the woes of being ignorant is that all too often one doesn't even know what one is ignorant of. So... I try to be humble, even about the things I think I know. I've been proven wrong too many times... And the jury is still out on so many things... But overarching all of my thoughts, feelings, and actions - I try to let love and respect for others guide me. In so doing, I hope that I can be forgiven for my weakness and frailty, acknowledging that these exist within me, but hoping that my int...

I know you don't think that You're particularly beautiful in the morning (Of course, I know you don't think that You're beautiful any time... Even though I tell you every day And my eyes drink in your beauty Drowning willingly in the immense joy Of just seeing you) But that's perhaps when I love you the most Because you're so warm and near And the intimacy between us is at its zenith All pretenses shed All external trappings removed And I see you The real you The you that's only for me And my heart melts all over again In the radiance of your eyes