From time to time, I like to share a particularly interesting dream that I've had. I just woke up after an amazing dream, so here goes...

In fantasy stories and role-playing games, "cold iron" is a particular kind of metal that's harmful to Faeries. Since this special iron is so dense and banal, ethereal and magical creatures like the Faeries feel weak and sickly in its presence. If a Faerie is wounded by a cold iron weapon, their wound will not heal properly. Cold iron is also resistant to Faerie magic, making it the perfect tool for creating a world in which the enchanting, creative, dreamy qualities of the Fae are banished from human sight.

I'd like some feedback on an idea of mine. As some of you know, I'm thinking of resuming my public speaking efforts. This would involve leading workshops such as Intro to Permaculture, Intro to Climate Change, Intro to Peak Oil, etc. As a side project, though, I'm also considering a talk, or a series of talks, called "Forbidden Philosophies" or something similar.

The next idea in my "Making a Difference" series isn't exactly a new one. It's been tried before elsewhere, and I've even suggested it before here in Carbondale. But it still hasn't happened -- and so, the stubborn Taurus in me is going to keep pushing this idea until I can find other people who feel similarly inspired.

The idea? Start a housing co-op.

So... how would you like to make a difference in the world?

As many of you know, I've been writing for several years now about my views on the world's problems and possible solutions. During that time, I've sought to make a difference in the world in a variety of ways. Public speaking... activist groups... community businesses... independent media... these are just a few examples of the places I've put my time and energy, searching for the power to change things for the better.

I'd like to believe that I've made an impact in the community. I've met good people, and we've done more together than any one of us could have done individually. Even so... there's still so much more to be done. With that in mind, I'm going to spend the next few months searching for unique, innovative, specific, cooperative, and powerful ways that I and other kindred spirits can make a difference in the world.

I've already got a few schemes brewing. It'll take time to work out the details, and it'll take time to come up with a few other ideas to round out this batch of revolutionary projects. But in the meantime... since I've long had a flair for the dramatic... I thought I'd start this out with the most far-flung idea of them all. And if all goes according to plan, YOU may be the one to make history!

One of my favorite Green Party bumper stickers says "Vote Green: Overgrow the Government." I may not be a member of the Green Party, but I'm certainly a supporter and an ally, so I don't feel too bad about using part of their slogan as a focusing point for my latest thoughts on revolution. The difference, though, is that we'll be doing more than just voting, and it's more than just the government that needs overgrowing.

I had one helluva good time last Saturday at my early birthday party. It was a relatively small gathering by Carbondale party standards, but I like how smaller gatherings actually let me talk to people. It had a good mix of work friends, D&D friends, and political friends. And truth be told, most of these qualifiers are arbitrary since in most cases, our friendship runs deeper than the context we may have met in. With such good friends gathered together, a good time was almost inevitable. We talked, we joked, we made simple music, we ate yummy foods, we played games, and more. We laughed; we cried; we hurled; and a good time was had by all.

For one night, then, I found myself celebrating the joy that is life. In fact, I found myself feeling very happy and fulfilled well into the next day, despite the fact that I had to work. But somehow, some peculiar warp in my consciousness always seems to take blissful experiences and eventually convert them into fuel for my restless, relentless, infamous, almost manic revolutionary impulse. And so, less than 24 hours after the start of a party that gave me a renewed sense of joy and satisfaction in life, I found myself feeling a renewed and more fervent commitment to the question of revolution.

The weather lately has been a good metaphor for how I feel about life in general. It goes something like this:

"Here comes Spring! So much vitality rising up within to prepare for a new season of light and growth! It's getting warmer, and warmer, and... oh, crap. Another frost? You CAN'T be serious!"

Yes, this is the story of my life lately -- a slow, steady increase of inner warmth, inner light, inner fire, while the outside world remains just as cold and cruel as ever, if not more so.