Greetings and salutations!

In The News:

Well just to make it official, I am in fact, back in Canada. I returned on my 24th birthday, October 7th. The short story on Japan, I wasn't happy. I'll be glad to provide the long story over dinner *S* That being said, it was an incredible adventure and I have no regrets.

Getting back into a western styled life has been an interesting challenge in light of the fact I was essentially isolated for nearly 5 months. Issues of health, space, pacing, productivity, social protocols and self confidence continue to fade into the background, and have been replaced by clarity of purpose, renewed perspective, and new relationships. In the more practical sphere, I'm living and working where I was previously, so in that sense, it's almost like I never left...but only in that sense. I've always liked Calgary though, and it's nice to be home...what a strange word that is *S*

Another item of interest, I recently picked up a Crystal Edition XBox. Yeah I know how much I railed against XBox in the past but the new PC is on hold and I needed a DVD player *S* Also, I will absolutely be attending E3 in Los Angeles come May so if there's anyone interested in taking a kick ass trip, let me know! Finally, I'll be attending the REM concert here on November 17th...so if anyone else is going maybe we can hook up! Oh, and if anyone's interested in an old Nvidia RivaTNT2 64 card...get a hold of me. A quick aside, happy birthday to my brother Jeremy who just turned 21! Love you bro. We played indoor paintball at Rampage, and it was surprisingly fun considering it was an indoor arena. The carpeting was a very cool feature.

Finally, some quick points about the blog: Comments are now active so readers can post comments at their leisure. The option to email a post has been active for some time. Look for the appropriate links/icons below each post...and keep it clean *S* The latest update for The Kalumra Stone has been added. Check out Addition 4 and look for the new poll by clicking the link at the left or here.

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Journeying from one fantasy to the next
I awake between dreams of man and dreams of mine
And having kissed angels and danced with demons
I die to live and hate to love

Watching over mortal masses under the moon
I observe the world draw its laboured breaths
And fading as I have been all this time
I have seen the whole earth come and go

Only you have been with me all this time
Only you have joined me in my dreams
Only you can hold me in your beating heart
Only you can calm my broken soul

With Hope,
Joseph