As my mind danced away from me amidst traffic on the GW Parkway this afternoon, one definitive thought seem to pierce it's way through the rest. Amidst great self-evaluation and forthcoming moves, (most prominently that in the direction of Japan) I find myself constantly battling with what i can only term as 'outside interference.' And by that I mean there are moments where I become aware of my mind sizing up my entire way of being, comparing my 'progress' to that of my age appropriate peers, family members and the like. This is rather ironic because I'm fortunate to walk a path in which many people actually convey to me how lucky I am to be living the way I live.
Which begs the question, is this a case of the grass being greener on the other side? I think not. As these thoughts swirled, a conversation I once had with a dear friend in Egypt came to mind. He told me then, some 8 years ago, with a very sincere look in his eye, as if penetrating a social misunderstanding, "You're a star Free. You're a star. If you get married tomorrow, have 3 children and are nothing more than a good father to them...You'll be a star." His words still echo in my soul. How dead on he was, and still is. I wish I could explain the misconception which shattered in me that day. The previously unspoken or unaddressed notion that *stars* find their way to television, *stars* make millions of dollars, and *stars* live the high life, all crumbled at his utterance.
And in that moment I accepted the fact that the path I tread may not guide me to those ends. Yet they will not be the definitive measures by which my Earthly impact shall be gauged. As you can see from my earlier mind-state, this thought needs a little reminding from time to time! That being said, recognize in YOU my friends, The Star that you are... Even better, acknowledge the subtle stardom that those surrounding you exemplify. And even go so far as telling them!
One Love

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Boys to Men, and some dudes before them (I believe the Beatles,) said it best when they sang, "It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterdaaaay." This was the reality that so clearly lay ahead as I packed my car full of all the things that define comfort. After a 3 year stay in Santa Cruz, CA. It was finally time to step out of that comfort zone and embrace the next challenge.

Much easier said than done. I must say, talking about leaving is wonderful. All the appreciation expressed, all the nostalgia that builds. Yet, with each bag being stuffed in the trunk a harsher reality set in. That place called 'home' no longer is. Those people that used to illuminate my days with simple "Hello's and Mr Freeee's!" will be no longer cross my path. Favorite restaurants, hangouts and getaways will soon be on the other side of the continent. This departure is undoubtedly bitter sweet, for I have never lived in a warmer community than that of Santa Cruz.

But this is not a sob story. These are the decisions I've chosen. And there is great purpose behind the moves being made. I have to remind myself of that in times like this. Somehow, looking ahead eases the burden of attachment that arises in Love affairs, whether that relationship be with a person or place.

And so it was, after stopping off to say a last few goodbyes to good people, I found myself on Highway 1 heading south with Kanye West's "I'm comin Home again!" bumpin from my speakers. As glorious as the west coast has been to me, it is time to return to the east and plug back into my roots. Most importantly, spend time with family and reconnect with those that mean most in my life.

Being the adventurer that I be, it was previously determined that I shall drive across the country in hopes of soaking in the sights of this marvelous country. Not to mention, get the opportunity to catch up with old friends.

With that in mind, I set sails for Los Angeles. Not exactly the most direct route back to Washington DC, I know, but hey, this is my trip, I'm doin it my way! My timing couldn't have been any better, for just as I emerged from the mountainous region of Cali, I was treated to one final sunset over the Pacific. This made way for all sorts of reflections. And even greater, a heart felt sense of appreciation came over me as I acknowledged just how blessed I've been to be able to enjoy the time I have, in a place that many people have only dreamed of living. Thank You Life. And thank You Pacific.

Just when I got to feeling all nostalgic and blissful, reality smacked me upside the head real quick. Blue and Whites! No siren necessary. The only problem with being a dreamer is there are very tangible manifestations here on this Earth plane, which must be tended to. Most notably speed limits! 70 in a 55, hope that one doesn't hurt the insurance. I felt as if God was suddenly speaking through the voice of Kanye West and sending me a message for the duration of the trip…"Drive Slow Homey!" Point taken.

Upon arrival in L.A., my spirit got that buzz that only comes within city limits. Kinda reminded me of that excitement that would mount as we crossed the G.W. Bridge heading into THE City from upstate New York.

The primary purpose for the stop off in La La land was to plug in with some old friends. And that was certainly accomplished in just the matter of an hour. At one dinner table sat a high school friend from Horseheads, NY. A brotha I connected with on the island of Kauai, seated next to my man whom I met in Honolulu, and to bring things full circle there were 2 Santa Cruz representatives showing Love.

The conversations flowed and gut-wrenching laughs exuded as each of us left that place with hurting faces on account of the endless smiles. And just like that, Day One of this adventure across country was in the books. It was hard getting to sleep, for I already had visions of tomorrow's magnificence runnin through my mind.

Can't Wait.

LISTENINGS: Eric Roberson, Kanye West (College Dropout,/Graduation)

Wednesday, November 14th, 2007

At 6 AM, my eyes sprung wide open. It was time. Without a hint of grogginess, I hopped on the road, Eastward Ho! (And no, I didn't lean over and whisper that in some girl's ear before I departed!! :-)

You don't have to be a natural genius to figure out you're going in the right direction when the rising sun is beaming directly in your eyes. As the rats raced toward the city, I headed in the opposite direction, toward a land I have long dreamed of visiting.

I distinctly remember moments in my college career where I felt an unwavering urge to up and move to Arizona. I used to say it was calling me. But perhaps that was just me full of all the New Age thinking I was steadily feeding myself. Regardless, it didn't take long to realize what that attraction was rooted in. Natural Beauty beyond belief. From the highway alone, I took in some breathtaking sights. The trouble with road trippin is, time is always a factor. Always trying to get somewhere, hence little glimpses of goodness get driven past in haste, to reach the all-important destination. If I had it my way, I would have stopped every 10-15 miles or so and taken 25 pictures at each spot, it was that unique of a setting. Often times there were these random humungous rock piles which seemed to be unexplainable freaks of nature just standing alone right there next to the road. Arizona, in general, is a state that makes you question how nature made some of the masterpieces on display. But let it be known, these were all pupus (appetizers for the un-Hawaiian) in comparison to where I was headed.

Of course, no cross-country trip could be complete without a stop off at America's most notable natural attraction..The Grand Canyon. I confess, after already taking in Waimea Canyon on Kauai, I found myself approaching it as if I were some kinda Canyon snob. I think part of it was island pride, that voice inside my head saying, it won't be better than Waimea, it can't be, I won't let it. But all that was quickly humbled as I stepped on outta the vehicle and gazed upon the expanse that is America's Grand Canyon. The most stunning aspect of it to me was how invisible it is until you're right up on it. As I was driving toward it I kept trying to sneak a peak or catch a glance of what was to come, but it remains completely obscured until you actually pull right up on it. You can insert any superlative you like to describe it, beautiful, breath taking, humbling, awe-inspiring, you name it. Yet no words can convey the magic that jumps off those canyon walls.

As was the case with the Pyramids in Egypt, the only downside to such a well-known attraction is the amount of people it attracts. For me, personally, I get more out of a place when I can sit and be quiet with it. Breath its' magic and take in the subtleties that may be overlooked when just passing through. In this case, there were ongoing conversations and picture taking upon picture taking that served as constant distractions, yet I still managed to find a moment to tune out (of the noise) and tune in (to the unspoken.)

Sadly, even the Grand Canyon could not silence the voice that pervades all road trips. "Alright, Let's go." Time. Frickin time. There was more to see and only so much daylight to take it in with.

Once again, I was traversing throughout the heavens somewhere(mentally,) extending appreciation for all I had just taken in, when the 2 vehicles in front of me braked abruptly. I searched the surroundings in pursuit of answers. Little did I know, the answer was searching for me. "Bwoop Bwoop that's the sound of the Police!" I was at a loss this time. What in the world did I do wrong? As if gas isn't costing me enough on this trip, I got more problems???

Out steps Johnny Law. His reason for pulling me over…get this…an illegible license plate. Are you F*#*in kidding me? Dude claimed he could not read my license plate. This Arizona police officer who has undoubtedly seen thousands of California plates in his day, could not make out just where mine was from. He then proceeded to ask me to step outside of the car, which I questioned immediately. His response, "Do we have a problem here?" The moments that followed were as big a sham as I've ever been a part of. He gave me some spiel about how if you look from this angle it's kinda gray and hard to make out. This..the 7,657th cop I've driven past, suddenly cannot make out my plates?!? I'm sure the fact that a black man with lox was behind the wheel of a tinted vehicle didn't have anything to do with why he pulled me over. I'm sure that barking dog in the back of his truck didn't have anything to do with what he was really looking for. His line of questioning only salted the wounds. "Driving across country huh? Well why are you way down here?"

"I wanted to see the Grand Canyon."
"When did you go see it?" He asks from a strong 6 miles from the canyon.
"Today."
"Oh you went today did you?"

I'm thinking, are you serious? This dude is killing me. I could see him trying to piece together his angle, seeking any means to let his dog off the leash. And if that was enough, he brought me out a warning and had the nerve to say, "Could you sign right here MY MAN?" As if we had just become soul brothers right here on the side of the road as he interrogated me. Unbelievable. Yet I still managed to kill him with kindness in spite of everything inside of me wanting to Roar on this dude.

All in all, no physical damage was done, but there was a psychological boulder now residing smack dab on my chest as darkness filled my soul after this encounter. And you know how we do, my mind rambled for the next 2 hours saying all the smart-ass things I wish I could have summoned. But one thing I've learned in my travels is sometimes you've got to bite the bullet and swallow some of that pride when you're in someone else's territory. That bastard got me.

It took some conscious effort, but I eventually restored my lighter outlook on the trip and eventually returned to appreciation for the natural goodness surrounding mode. The fact that the Painted Desert was right there out the passenger side window didn't hurt. Nor did the impending colors that arose, as the sun made it's way down pass the horizon. The earth in Arizona is clay-colored and warm as is, but when that late day light highlighted it I could see exactly how many Native Americans have come to know great magic by way of the elements in this area of the country. Please believe I am no medicine man, but even I felt like I coulda summoned a Tornado if I did the right dance or sang the right song.

Frustration resurfaced after the sun set and darkness began to take the place of light. If I had not spent a half hour with that clown back there, I'd be able to see more of these miraculous surroundings. Eventually I reached the point where I swear the silhouettes of mountains and rock formations were laughing at me as I drove past. "What kinda dummy drives through here at night?" they said. This only worsened as I passed though the vicinity of Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks. I've longed to see Bryce for years, yet ended up passing it by with not even a glimpse.

I must say there had to be some sort of energetic exchange involved because I drove without a hint of fatigue for hours longer than expected. Perhaps visitation from a few friends assisted in that process as well. "Bwoop-Bwoop!" in Utah…"Bwoop-Bwoop!" in Colorado too! I couldn't believe it. I got pulled over 3 times in one day. As it turned out, my taillight was out. And as fate would have it, I passed by a couple eagle eyes that ceased the opportunity to get to know me a little better. The lone consolation of these interactions came when I told the Colorado cop about getting pulled over for the license plate earlier. He said, and I quote, "That's a Chicken Shit move right there." Thank You, I needed to hear that from an officer more than I knew until he said it.

At 2 AM or so, I arrived in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Hard to believe all I'd seen and done in just a day. Although I'll keep my hopes up, I think this may be the most eventful day of the journey. Hopefully I've seen the last of the boys in blue.

Above and beyond all that…I saw the Grand Canyon! Life is Good!

LISTENING: Jill Scott, K-os, *Bob Marley-Ambient Translation (dub) Album, Matty G

Thursday, November 15th, 2007

I awoke to the embrace of one of my favorite nephews, ((coincidentally named Denver (after John, not the city.)) Who quickly pointed out how necessary it was for me to brush my teeth. This is why I love him!

After hearing a squeak from the brakes in Utah, I headed straight to Midas for a check-up. The prognosis was not lovely. No brake problems at all, but something called lower arm bushings were on the brink of giving way. The mechanic spoke as if I may die if I don't get these taken care of. Only problem is, they have to order the parts, which would take an extra day. A day I did not have…to spend in Glenwood Springs at least. A few phone calls later and I arranged the work to be done in Denver.

The rest of the day was spent on a family vibe. Took my nephew to Taekwando, had a remarkable Thai feast prepared by my mans' wife, and played catch up as we shared childhood tales along with grown folk note comparisons. The last of which took place on his balcony overlooking the Colorado River. This captured the spirit of what I set out to do on this trip. Connect with good people and enjoy our presence.

All in all a pretty low-key day, yet one I appreciated greatly. Can't wait to see what tomorrow holds.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Alas, an honest mechanic. After awakening before the sun, I moseyed on over to a town outside of Denver called Lakewood and got my car checked out. The man, Gil, who welcomed me had one of the coolest spirits I've encountered. Funny thing was, we had not even spoke much when I'd made that determination. His demeanor on the phone was what guided me to his garage in the 1st place. In person he was even better.

He had a gander at my vehicle and came out to inform me that the situation was not nearly as drastic as the initial prognosis indicated. Simply put, them boys in Glenwood Springs, were trying to take me to the bank. It was so refreshing to encounter a stand up guy who's a straight shooter. But that proved to be the tip of the iceberg with Gil.

After informing me his nephew is a Deejay, I passed on a copy of "Lay-Up Lines." As it turned out, Gil is quite the music aficionado himself. Plays guitar, goes to all the shows possible, and has over a thousand records in his collection.

Even deeper, he just welcomed a 9-month old daughter to Earth. As I congratulated him and explained how far from ready for children I am, he brought forth a profound point. "I don't know that I would choose to bring a child into this world based on how things are looking right now." This brought to consciousness the impending prophecies, which I've pondered for years. Most revolving around Earth changes occurring between 2010 and 2012. Who knows what will manifest? Yet my prayer remains, "Spirit, put me in the right place in the right time, so that I may manifest my destiny. No matter what that may be." All I can do from there is simply TRUST.

The idea of spending a good portion of my day in a garage was not sitting so well on my conscience. However, upon meeting Gil, any negative intuition was replaced with the affirmation that there are great spirits amongst us.

This sentiment was only echoed as I slid on down the road to Colorado Springs, where two recently acquired friends, made that transition into friends for life. We had met a couple of months ago back in Santa Cruz and they demanded that I stop on my way through to get a taste of the Colorado goodness. And so it went.

Turns out one of them just happened to be a bartender, so I'll let you fill in those blanks on your own. I can't say I wasn't warned. My man Chris said, "Be careful, you're about to be drinking at altitude. It's like doubling the alcohol content."

"No problem man I'm a bartender." I thought.

Needless to say, by the time we got around to making breakfast at 4AM, my stomach was not really eager to be taking in sausage, eggs and the like. Hence, me and Aquafina curled up on the couch together and got to know each other real well. I ain't no punk though!! I stayed awake. But to be honest, it would have probably been better for me to just go to sleep!

Aside from the partying, the greatest dynamic that I witnessed throughout the evening was the interaction and balance of a healthy marriage. Those are hard to come by these days, so I sat back, took notes, and studied them closely. A notable aspect that surprised me was the absence of jealousy and the presence of trust. After 12 years together it is clear why they've chosen each other, for their ebb and flow was effortless. There was an unspoken rhythm between the two of them that was so subtly beautiful.

More than anything…this gave me hope! Yes, my friends, it can be done. Love can Work!!

After politicking with some of the local promoters and trying to get a read on the pulse of the city, I ended up passing off a few copies of "Lay-Up Lines" to sew a few seeds for future shows and such. I met this brotha Pay-So who has been doing good works not only in Colorado Springs, but Phoenix as well. To my surprise there was quite a big hip-hop following. Mike Jones had a show across the street from us and it was jam-packed. Not my bag of chips, but good to see hip-hop moving folks everywhere.

And so it went, a day that began at 5:30AM was now ending at 5AM. Life didn't feel so good at that hour!

LISTENINGS: Silence, Learn Japanese CD, Collie Buddz

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Needless to say, I didn't exactly rise with the birds this morning. My hosts continued to affirm we are family, for they too shared that same morning-after grog. After some grinds (food for the non Hawaiian) and a heart-felt goodbye, I was back on the highway headed for Kansas City.

Being the wise one that I am, I chose to take on the state of Kansas at night. There would be no remorse about missing those surroundings. However, it was rather fortuitous that I caught the sunset directly over the last bit of the Rockies I could see. It turned out to be one of those awe-inspiring, beams shooting out over the crests, isn't life grand kinda sunsets. Again, gratitude was extended toward the Heavens and The Earth.

I don't know if I'm just putting out the "Love Analysis" vibe or if this type of thinking is just 'coincidentally' crossing my path, but I was treated to a thought-provoking conversation with a good friend in regards to Love and the dynamics that accompany it. Some of the highlights were the idea of ownership that some attach to the word. Also the question of whether there is someone for everyone. Not to mention, how we define an ideal mate. This was quite the God-sent for miles traversed without even a hint of boredom or anxiety. Thank You Friend!

I must say, this conversation brought me back to my Middle and High School days where I used to spend hours on the phone, spilling my guts to my bestest buddies while listening to their life stories in return. We swore we knew it all back then! It was pretty cool to revisit such a feeling.

So check this out, I was cruising through Kansas, feeling so comfortable with the trip and the road…when a thought arose. "Wow…this is going to be the 1st state I go through without.

"BWOOP-BWOOP!" No Way. You have got to be kidding me. This is not happening again. What in the world have I done to deserve this? Got the taillight fixed. Haven't sped since California. This can't be happening!

Indeed it was. And the reason behind it made me reconsider my previous frustrations with Johnny Law.

The only good thing to emerge from all these pullovers is I am way more comfortable talking to cops than I've ever been. Hence I was already talking to him before he even made it to the window.

"You gotta be kidding me man, am I a marked man or what?" He said, "Nope, I couldn't make out your license plate, that's all." I told him, "Yeah, that's what the guy in Arizona said too."

And there you have it. 5 states and 5 encounters with America's finest. But I'm still an optimist. How many people do you know that have been pulled over 5 times and only got 1 ticket!! Clearly my glass is half full!

Eventually, I made my way to Kansas City, MO. It was there that a long time friend from my University of Maine days was waiting. My man Milo and I have always had a deeper connection. We used to pick at each others' brains at all times of day back in those bright-eyed questioning everything in existence days. There is something truly special (and unique) about those college years when you're being exposed to so many profound theories and interpretations of life. To have a brother like Milo to engage in dialogue with was always a blessing.

And don't you know it, (number purposefully omitted) years later we are very much the same men. (Well, perhaps we were boys then.) I've always sought to define Spirit in a Universal framework, focusing on principles more so than particulars. Yet my upbringing in the church has constantly served as the foundation of my beliefs. In Milo's case, he dove deep into scripture even back in our college days. Hence it was heart warming to see him plugged into a community of brothers and sisters who resonated on the same frequency.

As it turned out, there are a number of people in his inner circle who have been studying the Torah, the Bible and many other texts. The implications of which have led them to the conclusion that we are indeed on the brink of a grand transition. This being the case, they are choosing to relocate to Israel to return to the Promised Land and prepare for the forthcoming events.

In most cases, I've been known to turn my ears off when people get to talking about these types of interpretations of the Word. However, I felt a sense of pride or perhaps satisfaction for not only Milo, but all who believe similarly. For at the very least they have found their place. They know where they are going and have some sense of where they belong. This is a feeling I have searched the world over in hopes of attaining. Yet one that remains elusive. (Santa Cruz was close though, I must say.) I know Marcus Garvey expressed the sentiment that having a homeland gives one a genuine identity. Yet I feel as long as a capitalistic mindset pervades, no matter where I am, I will not truly know myself. We are more than moneymakers, more than builders, more than that which we display in the here and now. However, so long as we exalt, or at the very least strive towards the rewards of capitalism we shall know not our potential. And this thought eats at me daily.

Another topic that piqued our interest revolved around the veil of illusion, which stands between humanity and reality. We toyed with the idea of that veil being tossed back in magician type fashion. And what the implications would be if humans were seeing themselves as we are. Seeing our place in the grander scheme of the Universe. Neither of us knew if we humans could actually handle such a revelation. I wouldn't mind finding out though.

An interesting aside, as we were driving to the Hebrew Israelite Beyond History Book Store, I saw an entrance to a building, which caught my attention. Without thinking I shared with Milo aloud…"Refocus….Pro-ject." That's what I need to do right now, Refocus and Project. The funny thing was, I caught the words from right to left as we were driving by. The actual building name read Project Refocus, yet the original interpretation held weight for both of us as that message continued to offer insight throughout the night..

Give Thanks! These are the trains of thought that Milo (I call him Young Moses) has provoked for years. It was truly a blessing to catch up with him and build as we all-ways do. Good Night! Good Life!

Sunday, November 18th 2007

By the time I rose, Miykael (his poetic name) was beaming from the living room as he proclaimed he was working on a powerful piece. Apparently our previous nights endeavors paved the way for some soul-full expression. For, what he shared was extraordinary indeed. Thoughts I've had but never coordinated so poignantly. And so, the day began. I must say, it might be a beautiful thing for everyone to rise and receive a friends creativity 1st thing in the morning. Sure beats the news.

After a flavor-full breakfast, we linked with a life-long friend of his who had a real cool vibe about him. He, his wife and daughter have plans to head to Israel in March. May Spirit guide them just right.

Speaking of guidance, I asked for lots of that as I made my way on outta Kansas City. It was somewhere around 2:30 and my next stop was a tentative one at best. After sizing up the map and flirting with my options, I decided I was going to stop in Louisville, Kentucky to not only meet up with another friend from college, but also do a little music politicking as well. This proved to be a great move as both provided just the right energy.

I hadn't seen Rameek since Maine as well. His whit and demeanor quickly reminded me why he was always one of the coolest guys on campus. Linking with him however was one of the more frustrating parts of the trip. Reason being, once we started kicking it, I realized we had a lot of catching up to do. But once again, that trip timer was ticking away in my head. Hence, I stepped away reluctantly and made my way near the university to catch up with an area promoter.

Whoever said, "It's not what you know, it's who you know that Counts," couldn't have been more on point. Thank Goddess for the friends I have. For one phoned their friend, Deuce, in Louisiana and told him we should meet. When I arrived, we chatted for a strong 6 minutes about the hip-hop scene in Louisville and right then and there he offered an open invitation to perform at anytime. I'm not sure if this was good or not considering he had not listened to a note of my music, but I'm taking the ball and running with it regardless!! Big Love to my friends who plugged that one!

Moments later, I hopped in my Passat and rode that wave of excitement as far as it could possibly take me. By the time my trains of thought had calmed and I'd reflected on much of the days goodness, I found myself in West Virginia. It was here that I realized, "I'm really going to do this." I'm gonna make it home tonight.

The next few hours were spent playing back all the magic that made up this trip. The Grand Canyon, The Rockies, The COPS! Once again, a wave of appreciation came over me. Not only for the natural beauty I had just been blessed to take in, but also the circle of Great Spirits that surround me, both those in human form and those unseen. There were numerous people who made special exception to their daily routine to check in on me and illuminate my path. Thank You!

And just as my eyelids grew heavier than they'd ever been on this trip, up came The Sun! Thank you God! I was just starting to have my doubts until that light came. But the journey was still far from done. Those wise ones sure are smart. There's one I heard that said "In a 10 mile journey, 9 miles is the halfway point." (Or something like that, when you're this tired, you start making up your own sayings!) And that was truer than ever. Somehow, driving on familiar roads made this leg of the trip less exciting. Now I was counting the minutes til I could reunite with…no not my Mommy…My Pillow! And oh how sweet it was!

Looking back, this was certainly one of the best experiences I've ever had. There were literally times when I looked up at the stars and my spiritual cup raneth over:. I could literally feel my Spirit radiating with joy and excitement. This was undoubtedly an adventure I will remember for a lifetime. One that I trust will fuel future exploration. Thank You God-ess!!

LISTENINGS: Jose Gonzales, Jay-Z "Ameican Gangster." Zero 7

Big Love to Maiya for the brownies, they always presented themselves at just the right time! And yes, did make it to the Eastern Time zone. DJ Eko, Em, Mommy, Dad, Gu, Bub, DeeDee, Sekai, Krystal, Matt Jones and Magy for keeping me company via phone and sending all the texts and Love! Big Up Mapquest! Special Thanks to Dave and Lakhana, Nicole and Chris, And Young Moses for opening up your homes to a brotha. You made this trip what it was! Gil! Bob Marley. Passion, my Passat! Love You Baby! Verizon! Joi! K-os. And most of all the Stars, the Mountains, the Canyons, The Earth, and the Spirits that continue to guide and protect us. Infinite Gratitude, Mr Free

God. Clearly not a man. Nor woman. Simply Spirit. But how can we humans define Spirit? Indeed there is great mystery to that which is unseen. but there are often clear indications of a higher process at work with the very mundane day to day dynamics unfolding around us. God for me is ENERGY. With this in mind, it makes perfect sense that the Egyptians worshipped Ra. The Sun God. When I look at nature and see all of the "life" that is directly connected/dependent on Sun-Light it seems almost obvious that God is not limited to, but certainly most prominent through the Sun. All that grows here does so in response to the Sun. I came to this realization as i was studying Biology in college. (which was a miserable experience) however, they speak on photosynthesis and how plants take the suns energy and convert it to ATP. A semester later in a Food and Nutrition class my professor was talking about the human digestive process and how we draw ATP from that which we take in. And this is the energy that keeps us going. But again, God is much more to me than the Sun. However, paying homage whenever I remember to do so, certainly enhances my life process.
I don't know if you've ever read "Conversations with God" but in the 1st book he speaks on a god that does not judge. And this is a principle I hold to be true. I feel like judgment, especially in Biblical terms, was a addition that Man put in the Book to allow the Haves to dominate the Have nots. What fuels that belief is the fact that Church and State were once inseperable. Just imagine the government controlling what is and isn't the definition of God. Hmmm. So yeah, a non-judgmental God opens things up. Not so much to be a wild crazy Murderer, but to liberate the self from the constant self judgment that plagues most people's thought processes today. Self love is hard to come by these days. And much of that is in direct connection to the inner voice constantly projecting regret upon it's outer shell based on the dynamics perpetuated by religion. Or Shallow Spirituality. The whole idea of "going to hell" is the Ultimate Scare Tactic, to sway people to join the gang. The God I know would not stoop to such lows. Can you imagine/hear God saying "Roll with me Or Else!?" That's not Love. And "My God" is a loving god. All loving God. And I feel it's difficult for humans to grasp UNCONDITIONAL LOVE because we have never experienced it. Everywhere you look in our lives where we have "Love" there has always been some condition that has challenged that. Even with parents, there are times when their actions are less than lovely. So how can we fathom a Creator that does not judge us when there is no example of that to draw from in our own experience? Combine that with the doctrines being advocated by the church..i.e. Hell, Revelations and such and you've got the recipe for destruction. I'm not with that.

I do however, believe, very much so, that the world as we know it will end within our lifetimes. But i don't know that it will happen in the form written in The Good Book. and to be honest, I don't feel that "Christians" should be spared from the destruction if/when it goes down, cause they (along with many other sects) are at the brunt of the imbalance that we are currently experiencing.

That's another book in itself.

To me, the best way to see God is through nature. Most of what we consume ourselves with in our day to day activities revolves around man made creations. Our house, our jobs, the roads we drive on, sidewalks we step 'pon, even the majority of our pleasures take place within this very recent definition of what man calls "Life." However, Nature has remained. Steady as She is, throughout all the changes we've implemented. Hence to come closer to the Creator one has to remain close to the Creation.

To me it seems ever clear that when these Earth changes, that have been prophesized by many a culture, come to pass. It is only those who are attuned with Earth and her dynamics that can remain. For, those who embody attachment to the ways of old can only recreate that same imbalance in the "New World" Or something like that : )

One of the greatest facets of traveling has to be the experiencing of another culture. With this undertaking comes the full spectrum of emotions, from exhileration to absolute anguish. My recent trip to Brazil provided more exhileration than not, as was to be expected. However, two events remain crystal clear in my mind as to great illustrations of what culture is. The first of which was attending a soccer game between two inner-city rivalries Botafogo and Flamengo. We ended up arriving at the game a good 45 minutes to an hour prior, and upon entry my american friends and i were astonished to see there were already thousands of people in the stadium. Not only were they there, but they were already drumming, singing, flag waving and chanting as if their respective teams had just scored a goooooooal! Needless to say, by the time the game started and the nearly 70,000 people arrived the feeling in the air was electric. What stood out from the experience was, how alive and involved the fans were at every point throughout the game. There were no "cheerleaders," no halftime shows, not even a public address announcer, but that was what made it all so authentic. It wasn't until I saw this that I grasped just how watered down our athletics are by corporate ploys and such. This is by no means a "revelation" but it certainly added clarity to my intuitions about the downside of 'the american way,' which is exactly why I travel.

The second experience was truly the pinnacle of my trip. CARNAVAL!! Billed as one of the greatest parties in the World, it still found a way to exceed my expectations. The way the Parade aspect of Carnaval works is there are a number of Samba schools competing against each other at this parade. Each school gets an hour to an hour and a half to dance their way into immortality while their band plays their song. What stunned me was the realization that the band is playing ONE song for the entire hour+. ONE SONG, over and over again. But to my surprise, not only did the people in the crowd sing along, they seemed to get more passionate as time progressed. Again, a testament of the People. After the hour or so rolls by, there is a good 15 to 20 minute break while the next school is making it's preparations. As soon as the band rolls in, the people rise up and they all get down just as soulfully as if it were they're last party ever. And this cycle continued, from 9PM to 6:30AM NONSTOP. And as the last school made their way down the strip under the light of the new day, I looked around myself utterly astonished by the number of people Still in the stadium. There had to be a good 85% of the original crowd. But not only were they still there, the were Still Flag Waving, Still Dancing, Still Singing. And that was when it dawned on me. THIS is culture.

I'm laughing at myself and the current modes of thought that I give my energy to. Most notably...who I call. I met this girl. She's just as sweet as can be (or so it seems.) And I call her any chance I get. Send text messages with smiley faces and all that. And this is a girl I've known for all of 2 weeks. Meanwhile in Upstate New York, there's an 85 year old woman who has changed my diapers, fed me when hungry, protected me from oncoming traffic and done all a child can ask of his Grandmother. Yet her phone rings sparingly. I am a person who truly believes there is great wisdom to be sponged by our elders. Yet when I examine my own actions, I'm led to ponder whether I'm just giving that principle lip service? Or am I living my own truth? I had a similar epiphany when doing a little gift shopping overseas. There I was searching all the shops for a nice lil something for my cutie back home. But Damn...what about my Mom? It's funny how a little nook can shift the focus :) That being said....Call Your Mommy! And if she's still here, Call ya Grandma too!!

It's the dream of all (good) artists to be presented with the opportunity to be able to use their gifts to make a tangible difference. On one glorious night at Moe's Alley, many of the area's finest came together with one common cause. The result left all in attendance truly moved by not only the music that ensued, but also the higher purpose of those involved.

For those of you who are unaware, there's a hip-hop band based in Oakland, CA named "The Coup." Following their show in San Diego, their bus driver fell asleep at the wheel, ultimately flipping the bus 3 times down a ravine. This sent the bus ablaze and burned all the bands instruments, equipment, clothes, money, you name it.

Moved by the events and their music, Will Kahn of "Sambada" coordinated a benefit to raise money for the band. The aim was to bring together as many of the area's finest hip hop artists and musicians in hopes of not only generating a substantial gift to The Coup, but also treating all those in attendance to a show to remember. Needless to say, he hit his target dead on.

DJ Eko started the night off with the flavors only she can provide. Setting the tone and warming the crowd just right. She passed the baton to The Coup's very own Pam "The Funkstress" who summarized the events of that night before stepping to the wheels of steel and putting on a timeless display. Not only did she bring back some old school hits but she also proceeded to wowwing the crowd with her scratching skills. A highlight of the night came when DeeJay Kikkoman stepped up to his turntables and battled with Pam right there for all to see. The two scratched off in what proved to be a clash of the titans. Pam slightly edged him out but only due to the use of her female anatomy! A move Kikkoman simply couldn't equal!! Truly Entertaining to say the least.

Not long after, Kanetic Source, a former member of Ozomatli and Spearhead, came to the stage accompanied by his partner in rhyme Dem-One. The two laced a couple tracks together before the house band took their places behind them. This is when the magic happened. The band laid down the canvas and we three Emcees sifted in and out of the rhythms as if we'd been rockin together for years. Song after song passing off versus and then turning to the crowd for assistance on the hooks. And oh did they respond. Whether it was "Murder She Wrote" or "Hola, Hola, Hoolaaa!" Everyone in the building was feeding off of the energy being projected. Simply put, there was an electricity in the air. So much so that Pam "The Funkstress" returned to the stage and continued to rip up records and hype the crowd beyond belief. It was truly amazing.

When the night was all said and done, everyone involved (whether audience or entertainer) had a glow about them. For we'd taken part in a just cause. And had an absolute blast doing so. At final count there were nearly $1700 raised on behalf of The Coup. If you are interested in donating to their cause they have a link set up through their myspace page.. http://www.myspace.com/thecoupmusic