Yesterday marked a day of putting up more pictures on the website. We also got some banging color copies from Kinko's for a annual newsletter. So far it is a good start to getting some interest in our work.

Get the bush press conference. available on c-span.org

There is a man on the beginning of washington journal 10/27 the first caller. I don't understand what he said but he cursed. Then soon after two more people called and cursed.
Cher called in on C-SPAN is it really her?
Another caller said, "In war you are going to loose casualties."

Toni Morrison is on the connection today

I had a dream last night that was very interesting to me. It must have been many dreams but it seems to me to be one dream. Only points of the dream remain with me. I have a reoccurring place I go in many dreams. This place is access to the ocean from a non-traditional location. It is accessed through a path that winds through a farmed field but over time this path changes. Sometimes the field is harvested and sometimes bare. Last night it was developed with various businesses. Each business seemed to be blocking my way with a chain linked fence. In each fence was a dog or two who although there were not barking or being mean they deterred me from continuing on the path to the ocean. I have been down the path before and would like to get to the ocean because it is a beautiful spot. The ocean comes in strong but the beach is flat and it makes the waves dramatic as they come ashore. There are a few rock and tree stumps here too. The water is clean however; a greenish blue. I do not find away around the dogs before my alarm.

Earlier I was told at the location I was staying some of the other friends staying there was down at the ocean at the beautiful spot so I had gone looking for them. I was engaged in a strange conversation with a guy I used to work with. He was testing me first seeking some sympathy and then tried to use my compassion for something else. So I had to end the conversation.

Earlier I was at my house and my gym teacher Lisa was at my door with several other girls and they all had babies they wanted me to watch the babies while they went swimming. I was pushed into this situation and I had never met these women or these babies before. They were convinced I could handle it. I was then confronted with what did these women know about my capabilities and me.

Earlier I was attending a funeral with my family. Well it actually was the time before the funeral and the funeral home had sent over some new space age Cadillacs for us to ride in. I needed to go somewhere and my mother suggested I take one of the Cadillacs.

Yesterday I worked on a new film project. It was a quick draft drawing upon a R.E.M. song that was in my head on Saturday morning. The song, ìTime after Timeî has a reoccurring loop that is reflective of the way I breathe. Well almost but I like the song a lot and it came into my head while I was taking a shower. I could not identify the song but I knew the melody and some of the lyrics. I was sure of the artist but not which CD it was on because there are so many R.E.M. CDs in the changer of 60. So I asked Greg and he was familiar with the song but was not sure of the CD either. This caused a stop everything moment and we went to solve the puzzle. To my luck the first CD I pulled out of the changer was the correct CD and there on the label was a song listed as the lyric I kept humming over and over. So with the problem solved of course we had to listen to it.

After listening I was complete. I then moved on to other things for the day. I did not even think about the song anymore. On Sunday, during a down moment, I thought of just taking some pictures of me meditating. So then I had ideas about poses and dress and acted those out quickly with the digital camera. Once I was tired of shooting I took the pictures and reviewed them. I saw a similar theme and had another idea about applying multiple filters to each photo. So I would end up with many more pictures to use in the video. The draft of this project worked well. I will put it on the shelf for now. I just needed to exercise my movie making skills. I was scared of getting rusty. Until next time.

''And, look, the thing that's important to realize is that we're constantly gathering data. Subsequent to the speech, the CIA had some doubts. But when I gave the -- when they talked about the speech and when they looked at the speech, it was cleared. Otherwise, I wouldn't have put it in the speech. I'm not interested in talking about intelligence unless it's cleared by the CIA. And as Director Tenet said, it was cleared by the CIA.''

more

Here is the quote from the State of the Union speech that has sparked the debate. I wonder how long it will last. This seems to be the first real criticism.
"The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed in the 1990s that Saddam Hussein had an advanced nuclear weapons development program, had a design for a nuclear weapon and was working on five different methods of enriching uranium for a bomb. The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa. Our intelligence sources tell us that he has attempted to purchase high-strength aluminum tubes suitable for nuclear weapons production. Saddam Hussein has not credibly explained these activities. He clearly has much to hide."

For the full speech

Ashley (from Sanford, NC) on nudism: From "The Connection", July 7th, 2003

"Hay, how are you? I just wanted to make a quick point. I'm actually very surprised that I'm hearing all this over the air but the point I wanted to make was..."

Dick interrupts and states "What are you surprised about Ashley?"

"I'm just surprised at the fact that nudity is accepted. (laughs)" "Umm"

Dick asks, "You mean on the beach in a movie or anywhere?"

"Anywhere because, umm, the point I want to make is anybody can open up the Bible and it will tell you in Jeremiah that nudity is a adultery of lustfulness and so is prostitution and in Revelation it says that it is sinful exposure. And I just (pause) it's a sin. And I have heard somebody say earlier that your body is a temple and it is a temple. And you're deviling God's temple by showing people your body in that way. And it is something that should be shared between husband and wife not for the whole world to see. And I would like to take my response off the air.

Dick asks, "You had a chance to hear what Jimmy had to say about his five year old daughter switching from a childlike innocence to an awareness of her body. How does that fit in in terms of judging public attitudes towards nudity? I mean if you got a two year old child in a little puddle pool in the backyard and it's one of those hot summer days, is it a sin to let that child splash around with just family members?

"Umm, that is why they make children's bathing suits. (laughs) I mean I understand if you're in your backyard and nobody can see you and you have a privacy fence but if you allow a small child to do that then they are gonna think that nudity is ok when they get older and you are supposed to teach them right from the beginning what God's word states and not allow them to do those things.

Dick states, "Ashley thanks for your call"

"Thank you."

For more

Evangelist Pat Robertson backs Liberian leader Charles Taylor. Could it be that Robertson has investments in the Liberian gold mining company Freedom Gold? Look here

It seems apparant to me that George Bush would not receive a warm welcome in his trip to Africa.

Feeling good. It's Friday night and I'm hanging out on the screen porch. The rain that we have experienced for weeks has ceased and it's a great evening. I had a point, but you know what? It does not matter my point or your point, because what's the point? "What I want?" has become the underlying theme of America and the ubiquitous American Flag. I think by driving my truck everywhere I feel I need to go (work, visiting, shopping, etc. I think I am in control of where I go. If I just look at driving, I can believe I'm in control. Reality is I go only where roads allow. Also only where my history, socio-economic status, intelligence and etc, etc, allow me to go. So back to the issue of point, where whould I start?

I was on TV with the "Flag Wars" discussion. I guess it was ok because I did not catch it myself. I don't watch TV. I have checked the news website but nothing has been posted about the televised story.

Here is a link to information about the film "Flag Wars" mentioned in the previous post. Peace
P.O.V. - Flag Wars | PBS

I saw the documentary film "Flag Wars" last night. I watched it with a group of people on both sides of the issue. After the film there was a panel discussion of the theme of the film and how it related to our city. I more or less enjoyed it. The less was no black person on the panel. (One was invited but did not show) The more was I gave my two cents about how fear and greed is at the roots of the problem. I told them I was from Durham and most people (white people) who move to a neighborhood don't want to deal with the history and the people who live there. I was a little nervous telling off some white people in a room full of white people. I just wanted them to feel it is not just about them and what they want. It felt good.

C-SPAN

I highly recomend checking out the Press Club Address by Actor/Director Tim Robbins. 4/15/2003

I enjoyed it. He laid it on the line and scores if you ask me. "Here here, Tim, I feel ya!"

Penny's Bend Nature Preserve
I went to Falls Lake and Penny's Bend Nature Perserve today and I was not able to find what I was looking for. I was hoping to find some great photography shots of nature and the Durham rural area water systems. The water that we are getting from the City of Durham is being polluted by our fellow citizens and neighbors. I was not expecting what I found around Falls Lake and the Eno River in Durham County. Trash was everywhere!

I have been away...looking for answers. I was and still am somewhat shocked at the overt inhumanity of many Americans. The polls indicate the majority even. So forgive me for not having much to say here lately. Who knows if it is safe. I got to think paranoid like the paranoid government.

I just ate some "Cup of Noodles" and man they were yummy because I put some Texas Pete hot sauce on them. My mouth is burning though, whew! I had the noodles for emergency food but I was hungry so...oh well. It is ironic that after just eating some of the most unhealthy food I'm getting ready to go do a workout at the gym. Hopefully I can go to the bathroom shortly.

JVH home

I am working with DV making some films of photographs of the menshi mihas team. I am really having fun with it and I plan to turn this experience into a full fledged project. I am interested in doing a photo documentary and I have to whittle down my ideas into a doable project on my budget. I'll keep you posted.

J

JVH home

Ok ok. It's been awhile. I have been celebrating right. No that's not it. I have been consumed by the news. I am listening to the protests and listening to the pro-war rhetoric as well. I can not get enough of it as I try not to injest but observe the current condition of humanity. There are so many opinions without compassion. The big surprise for me is the current influx of religious based hate.

JVH home

Today is Greg's 40th Birthday! Happy Birthday Babe, You Look Great!!!

The thing is, my 40th birthday is in exactly six months. I hope to look as good. May the world be at peace.

J

"Be Here Now" Lately I have slid away from that saying where I have been embracing it for some time now. I have let my work overwhelm my day-to-day thoughts and then instead of meditation I have camped out in front of the news. I have been physically drained every day I come home from work for the past two weeks. I need to stop watching the news and absorbing all that comes with it these days. I am angry that this country wants to go to war. I am angry that the President is a racist and thinks racism is not an issue today. I am angry that US people are so selfish, greedy and arrogant. I feel sad that I am not doing enough to ease my anger and work toward a better world.

JVH home

I did not eat dinner last night. I feel refreshed though. I thought I would be hungry but no. I got some needed rest and skipped having a heavy meal at night.

JVH

Ying and Yang. Last night my dreams were filled with Ying and Yang. The symbol more so than the concept is my meaning but of course the concept as well. As I was making the bed I noticed a subtle Ying and Yang symbol that I keep by my bed. It stood out bright to me. I feel this was left over from my walking meditation yesterday. I kept discovering found objects on my walk. It was the discard of others that was facinating to me and I kept the objects. I remember thinking Ying and Yang applied but only for a short passing thought.

JVH

Saturday morning. The best time to get up and get going in life for me. A great time to reflect on the past week and just be in all that today can be. I'm feeling good, healthy and strong. The weather outside looks great and I hope to get out there in it soon.

I had a great dinner last night. I tried one of those roasted chickens you can buy from the grocery store in the meat department. It was damn good. I must admit. The price was reasonable considering all we had to do was warm it up for about 30 minutes. It saved a lot of time and it was perfect for just two people. I tried it as an alternative to getting something from a restaurant.

I just finished my bowl of Fruit Loops and skim milk while checking out the morning news. Another news day full of nothing but junk. One day I hope to read. "We have no valuable news to report. Have a great day!" That will be the day.

The second cloned baby is born. Who knew? A news story sweeps the world without any proof or investigation. Does anyone check the facts before a rush to press or video? I can understand the wanting to report the story but the immediate attacks of credibility are amazing. Are we headed back to believing the world is flat? Maybe.

Ok. I have been checking out some other blogs and mine is lame. I can do better with this. Can't I? I have got to figure this thing out but not by being too hard on myself. I will make a resolution to work harder for me in 2003. It's all for me in 2003. I should sell that as a slogan. It is so American.