"I went to the woods to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." -Thoreau
"I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time." -London
I am in California presently, visiting friends, laughing loudly, relaxing, smoking, talking about wonderful things with wonderful people. I come here for the people, for the conversation. Take John, for instance. He is smarter than I am, and I am content to simply follow him around his labyrinthine mind. I find myself more alive here, more real, more free - which is entirely my fault, I know. If I was "better" at life, I would feel just as alive in Missouri. But I'm not very good at life. I need these people here, and I know that now more than ever.
Ah! the sun!
The bright, brilliant sun!
And the faces -
brighter still.
I don't know why and I don't know how, but a part of me has recently turned in its resignation and gotten the hell out of Dodge. I think it's good but I can't be sure.
Blessings.
