Emphasis-Mine!

Prized University of Chicago Religious Relic is a Forgery!!

2010-01-29T12:54:00.000-08:00

One of the University of Chicago's prized religious manuscripts, "Archaic Mark" has been determined to be a fake. The book has actually turned out to be a skilled 19- or- 20th Century forgery. While the codex's authenticity has been questioned since its "discovery," there had been no definitive proof for either side.

The tome was thought to be an authentic, early 14th century copy of the Gospel of Mark, and the nearest document related to the oldest Greek Bible, a text dated to the 4th century.

Archaic Mark was found among an antiquity dealer's possessions after he died. In 1935, the man's nephew contacted U of C to see if they were interested in purchasing the book. Obviously, the university bought it, hook, line and sinker. The amount was never disclosed.

Debate as to the text's was revived when the book was digitized. The text was now available experts globally, and the investigation began. In 2007, a team of scholars partnered with McCrone Associates, an Illinois laboratory to perform a "cross-discipline, in-depth analysis" of the relic.

The conclusion? After a battery of tests that I can't pronounce including x-rays and spectroscopy determined that the colors found in the book weren't available prior to the 1800s. Pigments found in the book until around 1874. The canvas the book was written on was dated to the 16th century. Further, there were errors with the books artwork, text, and binding.

A Biblical scholar determined that the book contained the exact same errors as the Greek New Testament, evidence that the book was a copy (people tend not to knowingly copy false information).

So, instead of a historical religious artifact, a prize in their collection, the university is going to use the manuscript to help teach scholars how to reveal forgery techniques. If the purchasing price is ever revealed, it's my guess is that this will be an expensive lesson.

My Grand Plan for the Afghan

2010-01-18T21:04:00.000-08:00

Today's been productive. While I haven't moved from my precarious perch high above the floor, and the cat, I've finished sentences -- mainly those that have been plaguing my melon -- but they're finished just the same. I've not written them down or anything nearly close to that, but I made some sense out of the guacamole dip.

It's a bumpy situation; with the right people, the bumps would would fade, Proactiv staking claim to another victory in the prepubescence that is milkshake America. No longer a stew, or a melting pot, our ingredients are thrust together, wholly different, into the grind and beaten into submission at 500 RPM. Vanilla, chocolate, syrupy goodness, maybe an egg, y leche.

Jody Weiss, the former G-Man superspy and current Top Cop, recently announced that Chicago's crime rate had fallen 9% which, is quite the radical departure from growing crime rates experienced over the past decade. Weiss' took the credit. "I knew 2008 would be a rebuilding year, (this is NOT an exact quote) but I predicted that twenty-oh-nine would be the turnaround. You little soothsayer, you...Nostradamus 0.5. Please stand for the Nobel Peace prize. Inexplicably, the crime rate in the nation fell, amidst a recession known as the "The Suck."

Take the props, Jodes, the limelight won't last and you're definitely not the man on this one. There's a bigger reason not readily apparent, hiding in plain sight, waiting for that moment to enter fashionably late and take the credit for your apparent victory.

The plain-sight anomaly is that the crime rate for the nation fell, meaning every major populated area experienced less crime...hmm. Don't worry...here's a solution that won't get backed, but a fabulous idea...

There were at least 30,000 gangs and 800,000 gang members active across the USA in 2007 according to DOJ (Department of Justice) statistics. The President just called for more troops to be sent to Afghanistan and Iraq. So...let's logically mesh the two.

What do Gangs Want?
Money
Territory
Power
A Drug Market
Though unproven, gangs want to enforce their ways using violence

Here is how US Gangs will finalize the Afghanistan problem;

Afghanistan is the global leader of Opium production. Strike drugs
Most drug dealers don't make any more money than someone in the army, so strike $$
Territory? Afghanistan is yours, boys
Power? They'd be controlling an entire nation
Drug Market? See Number 1
Violence? All you want and more.

It may not be perfect at the start, but think about gangbangers for a sec: They're familiar with weapons, are unafraid of violence, and require little subsistence, taking what they need. They form a family, protect one another, and tend not to to be snitches. Terrorism is striking fear into a population through the use of violence or threat of violence. Although gangs serve no higher purpose, they're certainly capable of inspiring terror. Thus, what al Qaeda does to the United States, we do to al Qaeda. The nice thing is that we could technically pull out, thus not being at war which would free us from "rules of war" bull crap. As far as I know, gangs do not have to abide by the Geneva Convention, but neither do the terrorists, so fair is fair. Plus, the gang leaders and members that have lived through the gang life to eventually get out of the life state that gangs are often looking for a higher purpose...

Google's Cool Tools Not For Chrome...Yet

2009-11-01T08:51:00.001-08:00

I am a fan of Google. Not only do I somehow use Google daily, have an iGoogle page, use AdWords, Google Analytics, and a plethora of other applications that are part of the daily routine. With one exception...I hate Picasa. I'm also a fan of 'brand' Google.

As a brand, Google doesn't do much wrong. In fact, it's surprising that a company this large has remained relatively scandal-free, although they have endured their share of criticism, distrust, law suits, bad press, court battles (mainly with PC giant Microsoft), the Google Book's lawsuit, investigations by the FCC, FTC, The Justice Department, foreign governments, and testimonies before Congress. Not to mention that unless you're a huge customer, reaching someone at Google is virtually impossible.

Internet Explorer (62.69%)
Mozilla Firefox (24.61%) Google Chrome (5.02%) Safari (4.62%) Opera (1.30%) Other (1.32%)
Realizing that Google has to cater to the rest of the internet using world, I understand the reasoning behind sites and software not being available for Google Chrome, their new search engine. I began to use it while in beta and ended up keeping (it's fast, easy to use, and meets my needs for surfing the web). However, my choice to use Chrome has some drawbacks, or areas where I have to compromise and use a different browser, or simply not use a certain software. For instance, the email software/service Constant Contact requires Firefox or Explorer, plus, some of the Microsoft sites don't support Chrome. Orbit's downloading tool won't work with Chrome, either.

Let me state the obvious: Google is a smart, well-branded, technologically savvy company. However, I have a problem with the fact that certain Google Applications that were written by Google are not compatible with Chrome. Yes, I realize "the why:" Google has to meet the needs of the majority--users that surf with IE and Firefox. According to W3 Schools' (www.w3schools.com) browser statistics, the current trend as of September 2009 shows that users have Firefox as their main browser, 80% use IE7, IE8, or IE6 (why?), and 7.1% use Chrome. The rest use Safari or Opera. However, Google needs to provide Chrome users with several of their applications before they start losing their share of users. For instance, the Google Tool bar is not available to Chrome users. The Google Sidewiki, Twitter Gadget, Facebook Gadget, etc. do not work with Chrome either although there are third-party apps that can be used to replace them. Plus, when is Google, the search leader, going to install a URL shortening application for their browser or search engine? Tweetdeck will automatically shorten links, so why can't Google?

Google should consider testing their beta apps on Chrome users first. The reason that I suggest this is a logical thought: People that use Chrome are more likely to be Google aficionados. Thus, they would be excited to try new applications, evaluate features, and fill out forms or surveys in regard to improvements. They would also tend to be more honest as they eat, drink, and breathe Google.

Just my frustration turned into a thought, and written down. By the way, I am writing this on the Google Sidewiki, which is available now for Chrome as a bookmark...
in reference to: http://googland.blogspot.com/2009/10/g-bringing-google-sidewiki-goodness-to.html (view on Google Sidewiki)

DDB's Big Mistake

2009-09-12T08:50:00.001-07:00

The Error
At an Ad Agency in Sao Paolo, Brazil, an error in judgment has been committed. The facts are sketchy, but it seem that DDB Brasil was working on creative for the World Wildlife Foundation; it is unclear whether it was spec creative or just some ideas that had been shot down earlier in the year brought back to life to be entered at Cannes and The One Show. Unfortunately, this led to several errors...

DDB Brasil concepted some ads that compared 9/11 to other tragedies...actually, Acts of God. The campaign did not run, but the agency held on to the creative. The agency award show time of year rolled around, and the ads appeared again. One print. One TV. Could they submit them? No...they had to prove that they had run.
Somehow, the agency had the ads "run" without them really running...late at night on TV and in a publication that no one saw. The shows...the Addys, the One Show, Cannes, the Clio's, etc, were right around the corner.

They submitted the ads.

--Time passes--

The print ad wins an award at the One show, and the shit officially hit the fan for DDB Brasil. The attention and accolades that the creatives sought? They got it: They were fired.
In the US, the WWF was infuriated... They paid their agencies to keep them away from this type of situation... The 8th Anniversary of 9/11/2001 was days away and they were belittling it!

As the global arms of the WWF and DDB came together to find out what happened, the ad spread like wildfire across cyberspace.
At the WWF and DDB, the phone rang non-stop... the agency and client tried figure who did what, and when, and how to stop it from happening again. In the meantime, questions were pouring in that had to be answered. DDB and the WWF answered some of the questions incorrectly because they did not have all the information. On some, they lied. When asked if a video version of the print ad existed, DDB stated "Absolutely Not." Yet, out France came rumor that there was a video, submitted for the Cannes Film Festival. DDB had lied. The video inexplicably found it's way to the internet. (When your are screwed, you are SCREWED)

DDB finally admitted everything, but they were hoping internally that their client would accept part of the blame, thinking, "Now, if only we can show that the client approved it...."

Later, an announcement from the WWF:

"Earlier this week, WWF-US issued a statement based on information provided by WWF Brazil, a separate and independent organization within the international WWF network, that the ad was created by an outside agency and was not authorized by anyone within their organization.

"WWF Brazil has subsequently issued statements that have raised doubts about whether the ad concept was approved at some level within the WWF Brazil organization. "

It seems that the ad had been approved. DB Worldwide breathed a bit easier, but this was not over. The two companies decided to share the blame (what other options were left?):

DDB Brazil posted a statement on its Web site Wednesday, signed by both WWF Brazil and DDB Brazil, claiming that the two companies claimeed creation and initial approval of the ad, which has caused international outrage.

DDB Brasil concepted the ads expressly for the shock value. By comparing the World Trade Center Tragedy on 9/11 to the Tsunami in 2004, they thought that they could show what a "real" tragedy was like...especially one authored by Mother Earth. Yet, it was act of overt terrorism vs. an act of God. A planned and articulated attack vs. an earthquake in the ocean. It's like comparing two deaths: one man is brutally stabbed, robbed, and beaten unrecognizable. The other is fishing with a buddy when the boat capsizes. Swimming to shore, both accidentally drown. Both tragedies. Both resulting in death. Neither greater than the other.

One, however, was a cold-blooded murder.

The Proverbial Poop

Below are the ads:

The copy in the upper-right corner shows the following:

The Tsunami killed more than two-hundred thousand. The terrorist attack about 3000. Yet, what is the point of comparison? The amount of violence? The number of deaths? The method of death? The fear prior to death?
There is no point. The ads have shock value but little else. The creative team had thoughts of shiny gold awards...of being known for a "great ad." Yet, it wasn't well thought-out, there was no plan, or thought of possible consequences. They were intent on the gold statues...

When we, as humans, grow older, the trinkets of our youth become memories...we grow out of the ribbons and awards defined us in Junior High. They get put in less prominent places, then boxes, then boxes in the basement. When we are in our twenties, we probably don't want people to know that we won the 8th Grade Spelling Championship...

Why?

The reasoning is simple: We can't rest on our laurels...the accomplishments of yesterday. Better yet;

Our value, as people, is not defined by what we did yesterday; Our value lives in the accomplishments of today, and the dream of tomorrow. -Jeff Louis

"Here is your shiny gold statue."

Carter Roberts, President of the WWF in the US, announced that the WWF:

"...disavows the content of the ad, the message it delivers, and we will do everything we can to remove it from the Internet." Unfortunately, he is probably too late...checking this morning, 8 days after, and videos abound...print ads are prolific."

My guess? The WWF will soon be searching looking for a new agency as might others on their client roster. The WWF has already began to review some of their local shops...

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit...A Historical Meandering Part II

2009-09-03T04:33:00.000-07:00

Every conflict that the United States has been in, at least from my knowledge of history, started with the British or the French.

World War I: The US got involved partially due to the sinking of the RMS Lusitania (Americans were on-board). WWI had been going along merrily without us for three years. Why did we get involved? Historians Link, Ernest, and May attribute our entry due to three main things:

1. The US pro-British attitude
2. Our rise as a superpower
3. The influence upon W. Wilson of the Submarine Warfare

World War II: Again, the US gets involved after the war has been running on its own for two years, entering in 1941. We became involved due to the attack on Pearl Harbor. However, prior to that we had blockaded Japan at the request of the British and also enacted the Lend-Lease Act that promised aid to anyone fighting against aggression (including Russia).

Korean Conflict: Ironically, near the end of WWII, US and Russian troops moved into Korea at roughly the same time, freeing the country from the Japanese. Because neither the Russians, nor the United States, wanted a face-to-face conflict at that time, they agreed that both countries freed Korea, and split it at the 38th Parallel. Russia was credited with the North and the US the South. To this day, South Korea strives to remain a Democracy while N. Korea is fiercely Communist. The Korean Civil War started on June 25, 1950 when Chinese-backed N. Korea invaded S. Korea. The Truman White House decided that they would not make the same mistakes of appeasement that kept us out of WWI and WWII and announced that the US would counter unprovoked aggression. This one is all on the US.

Vietnam: The French had control of Vietnam until 1940, when the Japanese wrenched it from their hands. Following WWII, they tried to regain control. France split the country into two parts, the north and the south. The southern part was named The State of Vietnam under the leadership Bao Dai. In 1950 the United States recognized the Bao Dai government, established diplomatic relations, and sent its first ambassador to Saigon in South Vietnam. The US was used the same policy on Vietnam that they did in Korea, but it is important to note that French were meddling in the affairs of Vietnam long before we arrived.

In the Middle East, many of our problems today stem from our involvement in the early affairs of the region, with Britain and France leading the way. The British asked the US to get involved in Iran to depose a Democratic leader and impose the Shah (yes, we overthrew a Democracy and installed a King). We armed the Taliban to fight against the Soviets.

Here are some other historical items:
Falkland Islands: Britain

Grenada: France
War of Independence: Britain
Colonialism: Britain, France, Spain Italy
Modern Slavery: France (1800s), England, and finally the United States.

What am I saying? Although this nation is seen as global bad guys, we did not author all of the globe's discontent. We definitely made bad decisions, and our hands are steeped in blood; however, if you want to see the instigators and antagonists that began to change the future in the past, we need to examine the British.

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit...A Historical Meandering

2009-09-01T13:52:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite movie quotes is from The Good Shepherd. Edward Wilson (Matt Damon) is talking to the mafia boss Joseph Palmi (Joe Pesci) and threatens to deport him. Palmi mentions that the CIA scares him because they make big wars, to which Wilson responds that the CIA kept wars small. Disgruntled, Palmi asks a question referring to the lack of historical and traditional characteristics in most American's lives:

Joseph Palmi: You know, we Italians have our families and the church, the Irish have the homeland, the Jews their tradition, the niggers their music. What do you guys have?

Edward Wilson: We have the United States of America. The rest of you are just visiting.

The film, directed by DeNiro, covers the how the CIA began, the transformation into covert operations following World War II, and the effects of one man's torment between family and country. It displays, without being overt, a sense of pride in America as well as the will to win at all costs.

Today, there is but a shattered image remaining of that America: fundamentally weak from the inside out...a house-divided that cannot stand. Ironically, we are one of the newest nations on the planet, but have a sense of entitlement due to our brief and bloody history. This country, founded on religious freedom and belief, became the dominant presence on the global stage. Our sense of pride rekindles during the Olympics (USA USA USA (chant) USA USA USA) and national tragedy, but never daily.

How have we gotten here from a historical standpoint? What has caused these fractures in foundation that rot the nation from beneath our very feet?

Meddling. Discontent to run our own affairs, we struck out to run the affairs of everyone else to our benefit. As humans, we control very little in our lives. As a nation, we set in motion plots and actions to guarantee the outcome that is best for USA. A quick trip through the major historical events of our short tenure as global watchmen shows a pattern over and over again: what other nations begin, we strive to finish, or at least dirty our hands by our actions.Every major conflict with which the United States has been involved started with Britain or France.

(More Later)

Sunday, Augusut 30th _Purpose in Quagmire

2009-08-30T23:46:00.000-07:00

Been a decent weekend, although there is not much to report in the way of activity. We hold ourselves captive with no real method of moving forward until the financial situation improves...afraid to spend any major amount of money on anything out of fear. My car will soon be on the market...sad, but at this point, necessary. Not sure what is going to happen, but there is nothing we can do about the future other than prepare for it.

The time that we spend together is generally good, although the stress comes through in the way we deal with one another. Tonight I broke a bowl that turned into more than a broken bowl...if you know what I mean. We talked about the bowl, but we were really having a different conversation altogether.

My psychiatrist wants me to write because I told him that was my passion. Our sessions have become on how I have progressed with finding methods to do so...and really, other than writing every day, not much has progressed because I'm spending a better portion of time contacting people for jobs, or trying to determine the viability of starting my own business in the social media arena. I am not sure how much he is doing for me,but it gives Kyrstin solace knowing that I am speaking to someone outside of the house as my only day-to-day contact is really her.

She's frustrated, and my first intuition is to relieve that frustration, but I am also the source. If I could change the way things were regarding my work, I would do so. I had an interview last week with a company, Marcel Media. I thought the interview went great, but then the next day received an ad from the recruiter that sent me there that Marcel Media was looking for people...the same position...I wrote back to her asking if she had spoken with the company, and any feedback. Thus far, I have not heard. I don't think that she was supposed to include me on the email. I am going to try to write something brilliant (an online media plan) to show them an example of my thinking.

I guess the only thing that I know for sure is that although I can be a 9-5 person, it is not what I am cut for...
I don't think I ever have been. I was always happier in odd hours, or now, trying to work from home. Not that I am not willing to pull corporate hours...I just don't think it's me, or ever has been, as I look back at my life.Maybe at the end, I will find that I was where as was because I was supposed to be there...at that time and place. There is a saying among addicts that says:

I am right here, at this moment, because this is exactly where I am supposed to be.

Sometimes I agree with this, and sometimes I question. I think that this is the first time that I have ever entered such a place that was not precipitated by me. Although I do not entirely believe I was an active participant in "My Life; Alcoholic," I made bad decisions both under, and out-of, the influence. That is a half my-fault type of thing although I do take credit for all of the lives I tore through like a tornado as solely my own doing. But, I can't see where my actions led to my lay-off...unless I am to believe that they dumped the weakest link. If I was the weakest, why did I receive 20% in raises and bonus, the highest amount? It is something that plagues me with doubt in myself and my abilities. Yet, in a workforce of 100 people, 10 at least, 15 at most, were cut. Were they all weak? Did the others cause problems? Was it salary-based? I don't know the other people, and cannot speak to their character.

The other thought that I often have is that what goes around comes around. Maybe I deserve this...I am not the best-hearted, sweet-souled person that I know. I am irascible, discontent, sarcastic, and hard-to-please a lot of the time. It's internal, but I am sure that those feelings come out in front of family and loved ones (where it is safe...). After all, if you can't bitch to those who unconditionally love you, where do you go?

Thinking about attending AA again. Not for sobriety, but a sense of community. This is a big city in which I basically have no friends. Kyrstin is my outlet, but I am sure that she would like some friends as well. I thought that our condo-complex would be different...there are 11 or 12 units, but I know only a couple neighbors by name. Some I see in meetings. And the rest I pass in the parking lot with a "Hey, how are you?" It is so weird. You would think that we would draw closer together...24 vs. Chicago. That's what happens in neighborhoods...a function of children, I am certain. Suzy and Sally play together, their parents meet. One couple invites the other couple over...so Overland Park.

I don't think I could have ever grown up in a better place, neighborhood, or community. What a joy some of those days were! Crime-free (except for those of us committing crimes outside the neighborhood), traffic-free, with every possible amenity. Ahhh.

PS: Thought that you might recognize some of the items in the pictures....

August 28th: Is Fall Really Here?

2009-08-28T14:42:00.000-07:00

Woke up this morning and it was 60-degrees. Good thing I left the windows open all night...especially since it rained. The condo was a bit wet, although not soaked; there have been times where we've left sliding glass doors open and discovered puddles on the hardwood.

Kyrstin was in a rotten mood this morning, but then again, that is pretty normal.I have tried to change our morning times together, but I am at the point where I just don't think that it is going to happen. Me? I am definitely a morning person, most likely due to that song that was drilled into my brain prior to attending church, "Good Morning, Good Morning, You've slept the whole night through..." I am sure that everyone remembers.I do love mornings, though, and unfortunately someone else does not. Nobody's perfect.Then again, I am also a late-night person as well. Go figure.

Today has been a bit boring, a bit frustrating, and a bit unproductive. Tried to get as many apps in as possible and ended with just five and a headache. Rewriting my resume for each job, along with a cover letter, seems to take me some time. There's editing, re-editing, looking for the perfect words, making sure I can turn the file into a pdf document (so it is non-editable), making certain that the links work to my blogs and online work profile. Massive endeavor. Sometimes I know that I am over-thinking the process, but I want them to be perfect. Yet, when I go back after turning the resume in, I always find something that is disagreeable or doesn't sound "just right." Interestingly, when writing, I am much more critical of my work than anything else that I do...including work. I think it is because I take it personally because it is personal to me. I never let something (blog, article, resume, letter, or card) go out without taking the time to edit, re-read, edit, re-read, and finally approve. I am thinking about getting myself an "Okay" stamp.

Okay: Here is a lesson on saving something to favorites:

Saving To Favorites
In a series of steps, depending on your web browser, it should be simple.

Step One: Go to the blog page: www.emphasis-mine.blogspot.com

______________________________________________________________________
Image 1: The Favorites button is located top left of your Internet Explorer Screen
Click on it.(I did not perform the Add Favorites on my blog page, but on the MSN page)

______________________________________________________________________

Image 2: It should provide a drop-down that looks like the picture below:

______________________________________________________________________

Next to the text that says "Add to Favorites," there is a small arrow, pointing down. Click it.

______________________________________________________________________

Click the Add to Favorites Bar.

______________________________________________________________________

Voila! It is now on your favorites Bar.

Now you should be able to click on the button in the favorites bar, or the drop down menu, and then click on my blog page, or whatever other pages you decide to save.

That is all for today...back to work.

Love You.

Post Number Two...

2009-08-28T13:19:00.000-07:00

Today...Thursday. Blah. Raining hard this morning, it is cool. In the 60-degree range. Nothing quite exciting on the job front today; no calls, no callbacks, nada. Lots of kudos for my writing on other sites, but so far that is not paying the bills. Did you know that I wrote for other sites and was paid to do so? Here they are:
www.ploked.com
www.beyondmadisonavenue.com
www.beneaththebrand.com
www.digitalpivot.com

My own blogs include;

www.gutterworks.wordpress.com

www.emphasis-mine.blogspot.com

www.mediarevelations2x.blogspot.com

Gutterworks, I think, is going to go bye-bye. The others pay about $3.00 for a published blog. Not much. Just need that one person to discover my writing...trying to put it in the right places at the right times. That, and applying for positions, takes up a 10 hour day easily...often much longer.

Going to the airport to pick up KK...she is in a foul mood due to airport delays, etc.

This blog, by the by, has a fantastic name...Emphasis-Mine. It mines my thoughts, the things i place importance upon, plus, all the emphasis is mine. I am going to copyright it and it will switch sites, but that won't be for a bit. Strictly a personal project.

I sleep on the couch when KK is not here...don't see much point in going to the bedroom. That, and the fact that of late, our mattress causes me severe lower back pain. My life and couches are intertwined...from sprawling on the couch as a child to spending a lot of time sleeping on them. In a way, it is a bit more comfortable; exactly where I am supposed to be. "Where's Jeff?" "On the couch upstairs."

Off the aeropuerto. Talk to you...at you...tomorrow.

Love Always.

The First Post

2009-08-26T23:37:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

Things in Chicago are good...rained all day today, but it was like a Spring day. A bit of sunlight, and a bit of rain. Beautiful in the city. Drove downtown to River North for a Job Interview with Marcel Media. I should have another interview with a company called Rise Interactive coming up.

Although the pundits say the recession is over, they are high up looking down, not affected by the economy in any measurable way. The little people (including me) have not felt the "trickle down" as of yet. Just a rumor at first whispered among the few, hopping from person to person. Then it will rise to a murmur and people walking in the street will notice, but only if they are paying attention. Soon, a babble will ensue and the recession will have ended on paper. By the time the out of work are working again, a full conversation, filled with excitement, will be heard in the streets. People will slowly return to their old jobs...some to new jobs...and at this time next year, it will all be a memory.

Kyrstin is in Canada for work...went to Toronto and will be back tomorrow. Other than that, not much has changed.

I spoke with Jane tonight and she told me about a story that you told her about being a gentle soul. She said it was my greatest quality, and I realize now that this is something that I have suppressed of late due to my total preoccupation with the world of ME. It makes me feel selfish...there are so many others...the Trinity, the Family, Kyr's Family, friends, acquaintances, community; when you are in the land of ME, those others are pushed to the side, trampled under-foot. Thus, I am going to eradicate ME so that I can be of service to those that permeate my life and make it worth living.

Love you!