[starbase]

Now this would make a wonderful series for “Off the Beaten Path Tours’.

The only problem with that is that my little digital camera doesn't work at all at night. Even if I turn on the flash, it just gets the objects absolutely closest, and everything else is ink black.

Even if the street is brightly lit and looks quite clear to the eye, on the digital camera, it comes out as a dark smudge.

And another point on the karma topic, one lady on the street just stopped me and asked if I wanted to work morning hours over the summer vacation at her small private school! (It's pretty obvious that a white person around here must be an English teacher, I've been profiled!)

There's tons of opportunity here, it's just that the weirdo culture makes it difficult sometimes. But that golden lump in my pocket (is that a check book in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?), makes me so much happier now.

I can't wait to just start collecting the cash and letting it pile up. Of course, I'll probably be too honest about that too (just as I'm too honest when it runs out), and I'll spark jealousy in the chattering crowd.

I guess it's the fact that I remain totally unimpressed by money that I talk too openly about it. Personally, I put money in the same category as I do hammers and nails, it's just a tool. The true value in life is our personality, learning, and experience. Because if those are all bad, then money can't improve it, and if they're all good, then money is irrelevant. That's how things look to me. Having famous money renunciants like Buddha and Socrates as role models probably doesn't hurt either!

[Soaring Feather]

Hello, starbase!

Your hostess took a long sleep in much cooler air and slept for 13 hours! I am so lazy.

Anyway, sorry the camera will not work at night, the carnival atmosphere with the kids would have been delightful. Kids always win over peoples hearts everytime.

Good news on the Summer job. We never know when good things are going to happen for us. Wonderful news for you. Karma, (a lady on the street,) amazing isn’t it?? Well, she knew more about you than you could have ever guessed.

Yes, you are correct money is a tool for basic living, eating, housing, the rest is gravy. You can purchase you lap top and enjoy your life as you wont.

I think the teachings of the orient are full of wisdom and have taken a few of them for use in my own life.

So starbase will be walking down golden paths with lots of jingle to spend. Have a grand time FRiend.

Smell the lotus blossom
floating on water

breath in aromas from cooking stalls
and at days end catch the sunset
from out your window
and know you hold precious memories within.

Soaring Feather