What is going on here!!

Ok things are getting scary.. And I am actually paying attention now! I never seemed to care before.. I mean I knew stuff was sorta wrong and bad, and I just didn't want to know about it. I felt like knowing about it would just piss me off, and there was really nothing I could do to stop any of it. Instead I traveled around the world, and changed the opinions of other travelers. I think I really made everyone I met realize not all americans were bad. What I should have done was researched, got data, and knew what was going on.. so I could even better change the minds of others.. I always wanted to be one of those political people that could spew on and on about this policy and that debate and so on... And now I actually got a clue, care, and don't feel that helpless! I even had a debate party at my house! everyone came over and I cooked up some tofu, rice and veggies as we all sat around and watched the presidential debate. When I look at Obama I feel warm and fuzzy inside.. I don't know why... when McCain talks I want to hit him. A lot of "stuff" is going down right now.. And if people can not even see and realize how scary this whole situation is then they are silly! I know I can make a difference now.. I know that what I think can count somewhere if I get more involved! today I signed this
http://sanders.senate.gov/petitions/?petition=Financial_Crisis_1

And although it can never really work.. I think this is the best idea ever!! I got this email and just love it! It makes you realize how much money this actually is!
I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.


Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in

a We Deserve It Dividend.


To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000

bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.


Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman

and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..


So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals
$425,000.00.


My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a

We Deserve It Dividend.


Of course, it would NOT be tax free.

So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.


Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.

That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.


But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.

A husband and wife has $595,000.00.


What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?

Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads
Put away money for college - it'll be there
Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car - create jobs
Invest in the market - capital drives growth
Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else


Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks

who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company

that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed

Forces.


If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of

trickling out

a puny $1000.00 economic incentive that is being
proposed by one of our candidates for President.


If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult
U S Citizen 18+!


As for AIG - liquidate it.

Sell off its parts.
Let American General go back to being American General.
Sell off the real estate.
Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.


Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't.
Sure it's a crazy idea that can 'never work.'
But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!
How do you spell Economic Boom?
I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion

We Deserve It Dividend more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in
Washington DC .


And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because
$25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.

Ahhh...I feel so much better getting that off my chest.

Birk

T. J. Birkenmeier, A Creative Guy & Citizen of the Republic

PS: Feel free to pass this along to your pals as it's either good for
a laugh

or a tear or a very sobering thought on how to best use $85 Billion!!

MY Trail Magic!

Being a Trail angel! Doing trail magic, And being me..
Current mood: loved

My life... hmmm Seriously.. really? yeah i guess... I can focus on the things i don't have, and wonder about why certain things are not the way I want them to be.. or I can live, be happy, and love unconditionally and fully every blessing that is mine.

This weekend I gave back.....
In case some of you have no clue what trail magic is, or what being a trail angel is i will fill you in.
While i hiked for 3 months on the Appalachian trail i was confronted by amazing people the helped me out, fed me, let me stay at their place, gave me rides... People would set up full on BBQ's for us if we were lucky enough to go by them that day, or leave coolers of soda, candy, beer.. I even got a free ride to Merle fest and amazing festival in NC, free ticket (250$) camping, food pass, and my job was the sneak back stage.. I mean come on! I had to give back.. So I knew some folks hiking the PCT this year (i was also suppose to be on it and chose to go to Africa and Europe instead)

I really had no idea how limited the trail magic on the PCT was, and the AT like trail magic didn't really happen out there.. but i was prepared! I had the master plan... It was slightly thrown off when my hiker friend came to town a couple days early bringing with him 3 stinky hikers! but they were awesome they filled my little apartment with smiles, and trail stories and compliments...
We all headed up the trail with some help from my amazing friend kelly (i think this was all a lot more then she realized!) and some borrowed items from sharon and spencer (thanks guys!)
We made it.. we could not find a spot to set up so we had to set up at a very popular trail head at snoqualmie pass!
I brought
3 dozen eggs
60 beers
5 lbs of ground beef
5 lbs of bacon
2 lbs of sausage
tofu and veggie sausage
salads
fresh fruits and veggie
chips and crackers
cheeses and dips
lots of yummy breads and wraps
i baked cookies
kelly baked zucchini bread (she grew the zuccs)
chocolate, gatorade, juices, emergency
two coolers
two table for setting up
chairs
hammocks
my "party" tent

I have no idea how we fit this stuff into my car.. how we set up and broke down 2 times.. and on the second day kelly left and i did it all with a thru hiker that wanted to join me for another day.
We had to hike all this stuff in on the second day to a spot not so "on the trail" far away from I90 and all the day hikers.. We found an amazing site! a fire pit, logs, views, shade,,, everything i wanted! I had an amazing time! We fed 7 hikers the first night and then the next morning..
we drank laughed shared and i think kelly got a really good glimpse into why i live thru hiking.. what trail family feels like... and how amazing it feels to be a trail angel!
She left on sunday to go get her stuff together so she could hike the next PCT section with a hiker we met.... I am far more then jealous i must say. but my time on the PCT will come...
I had so much fun and got to be in a 6 person spooning party all inside my tent! And have fond memories of my little ride with Prison Jay.
Sunday set up in the woods I met up with 5 more hikers.. and got to feed them too...
I was told by a few hikers i gave them the best trail magic they have had on the trail. 3 of them hiked the 7 miles to town, then had friends that were meeting them there drive them back up to me, so we could all hang out.. and so they could all enjoy my french toast, bacon, sausage, and egg wraps... i cooked for 8 people this morning.
They were all so great, they helped me take loads to the car (so i wouldn't have to hike it all back out again!) I felt loved, appreciated, and wonderful! I know that I will be remembered by each of theses hikers, just as i remember and tell stories of the amazing angels that helped me!

My heart ached when it was all over... i wanted to grab my gear and hike to canada with them.. I kicked myself a little that I didn't try to plan to hike a section with slick b and friends... but its ok.. they can just come hike a section with me when i am out there! that will be even more fun!

This was for sure not an easy thing to do! or cheap... but priceless in so many ways!
I got home and spent 7 hours unpacking, cleaning up, doing laundry, cleaning my apartment that had just been let go.... Summer.. It was amazing and busy, and full of surprises, new friends, laughs, music, hiking, butterflies and unicorns... and all the things that make my heart and soul smile.. I am so glad to be alive... and to be living this life...
I am so blessed to have you all in it, dancing next to me, sharing with me,,,,, and being a part of what made me the me i am this minute..
Have I thanked you lately? no... well.. THANK YOU!!!

Burning MAN

What A RIDE!

burning man, summer, thoughts, life
Current mood: adventurous

So while things are still fresh... or should i say playa dusty.. i wanted to blog a bit before things start to fade as fresh amazing memories.. I continue to feel blessed and excited about life, my future, and the path i seem to be choosing and dancing down... Sometimes i am doing so much i get to wonder "why am i doing so much?"... but i can't stop.. and its ok. This past month has been pretty magical for me. A new energy entered in, spun my tires, flipped my head around a few times and then danced away when i finally thought i had found just what i was looking for, it had been a very very long time since i ever thought i could actually share my life so openly and freely with someone else.. and it really seemed like he "got me".. tough breaks. I keep thinking it will happen for me when it is time.. but its hard to remember its not my time and i have to keep living with no expectations of the people who are around me and sharing my light. I am growing and learning and working on myself everyday. I am slowly becoming more and more me, and learning to accept that, love that, and be that....
I have always been bad at protecting my heart, i love openly and freely and many. Sometimes that means I will feel more pain then others, but I can not change what my core is... I am now able to see and accept that my core is beautiful, bright and full of life and love.
I went off to burning man this year with a lot on my mind and a heavy heart. What better place to deal with all of that right?
Out in the middle of this amazing temporary playground, full of wonder, magic, art, energy, music and friends from everywhere in my life! I feel more free, more open to everything around me, i feel prettier, brighter, i feel a part of something bigger then anyone even knows. This year i did it right, I went with people i love and feel comfortable with. I knew where all the good live music was, i knew what i needed to feel comfortable all the time, i knew how to find people, and they knew how to find me....
I got to hang out or run into people from all over my life!
the Appalachian Trail
Africa
Wyoming
Seattle african dance community
Seattle music friends
Portland friends
Myspace friends i had never met in person before
vashon island friends
festival friends i had met at bobolinks festival in may...

All coming together and entering in my time on the playa randomly and perfectly throughout the week..... And the strangers.... the un-known friends i should call them.. When the playa does its work and you think you are going to bed.. but instead your off on a crazy adventure with someone you just met..ohhh whats that shining thing in the distance.. lets go!..... 4 hours later you are quietly climbing some scaffolding to watch the sunrise together. and not wanting to say goodbye because you may very well not see them again... connections, and conversations that feel unreal...
I kissed a robot
Got thrown off a furry merry go round
Danced up on the counter to get ice (me up on a counter.. really??)
i got kidnapped by an art car and had to learn to let go, and just enjoy the ride...
i was the 2,395th person someone hugged (he had a clicker)
I gave out more vibrating back massages and got the best responses ever! (i should get a clicker!)
I got a great burning man stamp in the middle of no where and a cookie
I saw a giant green penis art car shooting flames from the tip
I kissed cute boys and it felt awesome, innocent and fun and special!
I wore fish nets and tutus and loved it! (so strange for me kinda)
I met a giant zebracorn that shot margaritas from its ass
I went monkey chanting
I found a camp that serves dels lemonade from Rhode Island!!
I was given so many compliments (by un-known friends) that blew me away really, and made me feel so great.. something that is needed right after your heart has been cracked.... i healed on the playa.. it was time to think, and rethink, and remember "everything happens for a reason" "it must not be what i thought it was" "sometimes feelings can steer you wrong and people are not who they seem" "in the end it will all become clear, and i will be thankful it went this way"

I am still learning to be ok with who i am, what i am, and what i am bringing to the table of life.
I need to realize and find the balance of my life... giving and taking too. Sharing and spending time alone to reflect and grow. I have come so so far, anyone of you who has known me for years can attest to that... But i do know i have a long way to grow and change and become an even better soul to walk this earth. I am getting there, I can feel it... and who ever chooses to walk beside me on my amazing journey will be as blessed as I am, and we can glow off each others light....
until then i will just keep shinning bright.....

Blogging...

So it has come to my attention that there is one more person that wants to know what is up with my life, and does not have myspace.. So i am going to post on here more often.. and to keep things up to date i am going to post a couple of blogs i wrote on myspace here and maybe even look through and randomly put up OLD NEWS... to get off the subject of love and ever failing love life.. unicorns do not exist.. Maybe I should have known.. But it did give me hope! Hope that magic can really happen between two people, instantly and amazingly! I might be doomed to having lots and lots of best friends forever... It's ok, it will happen when it happens.... and I will just keep getting more awesome until then!