I've come across a conflict of legal rights and responsibilities that I'm not entirely sure how to resolve. This doesn't have much of a direct effect on me at the moment, but it will in the foreseeable future. Therefore, I'm curious to hear your thoughts and feelings on the matter.

I'm writing this entry on a Thursday morning on the train to Chicago. In a few more hours, six days will have passed since the inland hurricane hit Southern Illinois. As the recovering disaster area recedes into the distance, the events of the past six days seem almost like a dream to me. But they weren't a dream. And so, the story continues.

There's no way to capture in words what Southern Illinios has been like during and after the massive storm that just battered the region. I don't want to overplay the significance of it since I realize that it could have been much worse, and other places have experienced much worse. But since it's been an exciting couple of days, I thought the least I could do was tell the story of my own experiences.

Up until recently, I've been content to express my views on same-sex marriage in one-on-one conversations and occasional posts to chatrooms and social networking sites. However, in light of the renewed onslaught against the rights and dignity of GLBT couples, I feel compelled to speak publicly on the subject.

First, I will respond to the latest bit of propaganda by methodically refuting its key arguments. Then, I will present my own solution to the conflict -- which, while not at all original, is often overlooked and should satisfy reasonable individuals on all sides of the debate.

As a poet, a mystic, a romantic, and a revolutionary, I sometimes have a flair for the dramatic. Like a moth drawn to the flame, I often find myself yearning for some grand adventure to keep life interesting. These adventures take many forms: transcendent experiences of the natural world; ecstatic experiences shared with friends and lovers; encountering unknown people and places; championing the causes of freedom and justice and ecological integrity.

In light of my recent loss of a job in retail, I've been looking more carefully into new and perhaps more rewarding career options. It will take time to develop these options, so I may end up working another part-time retail job if I can find one in the depressed Southern Illinois economy. In the meantime, I thought I'd share a few of the possibilities with you and see what you think.

For the past four and a half years, I've been working at the Neighborhood Co-op Grocery. Now, this chapter of my life is over. When I went in to work today, one of my managers informed me that they're letting me go.

For several years now, I've been talking with people in Southern Illinois and beyond about starting an intentional community. This discussion has taken many twists and turns, and the nature of the community in question has undergone several evolutions. Now, I'm pleased to announce that I will be working with other like-minded individuals to create a Pagan monastery here in Southern Illinois.

Now that my health and energy levels are starting to improve in a fairly steady and consistent manner, I'll have more news soon about what I plan to do in the community with this newfound energy, and what I encourage others to join me in accomplishing. In the meantime, I want to share some information and reflections about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.