Topeka Coffee Party, (my private manifesto.)

We are working on a Coffee Party situation here. I know that there are many arguments (for and against) for this type of seemingly partisan politics. I for one feel the need to participate on some level.It has always been my experience that to be a good citizen one needs to stay informed and abreast of the times, not only the current topical aspects, but the historical overview of what has transpired in the past.

Learning is not a part time occupation, but a life long one. Attempting to understand the working of human nature and government are considered by some to be beyond the realm of comprehension. I believe that this attitude can be dangerous, It is much to easy to persuade those who know little of the working of government and people that the view of the elite and powerful is the correct one. So, I say this if you have no desire to learn and be aware of what is done both to and for us, then we deserve the leadership (and problems) we get. I for one will attempt to do what I can within the knowledge I have and the beliefs I hold to increase the betterment of those who I share this planet with. Those who would abuse the the idea of a reasonably decent life for all are my foes.

Help us to do what I feel in my heart and head to be right and help our community and planet. Coffee Party may be a reaction to something else, but it is a step in the right direction of dialogue and betterment for all of us.

We meet every two weeks. Next meeting, Blackbirds Cafe on the 19th. of April unless otherwise noted.

http://www.coffeepartyusa.com/

Vern

I want you!

I'm listening to the Beatles. Listening to "I want you," and thinking about it, or maybe feeling it. I forget from time to time how much of the Beatles was about raw emotions, life and love. How many of you have had that kind of a day, or hour or week. "I want you so bad, it's driving me mad.'

Aren't we supposed to grow out of that as we age. does it still happen to you. Are you still in love with some one, desperately. Spouse, friend, ex, lover etc. wheres your desire, what do you desire. Passion and desire for what ever is a movable feast. It's the motivation we use to set our engines revving to accomplish something. With out these fiery smoldering underpinnings we'd be nothing. we'd be shadow people gliding through life with little or no attachment to it.

Ever notice how we adore and idolize those few who push the envelope, who really go for it. The hero's, the explores, the people who take the risks. Were in love w/ poets, thieves, scallywag's, musicians, serial killers and the like. We claim to hate them and yet were fascinated. Any one who lives outside the norm, pushing the envelope, revealing the mysteries of life. Altering conciousness where ever they go.

Kerouac, Manson, Armstrong, Earhart and all the others. pushing, striving for God knows what. scaring the shit out of all of us as we watch with bated breath, wondering why they do it. wishing we could do it too. So, I want you, or some thing. So bad it's driving me mad. Life with out Passion is like breasts with out nipples. Salt with out pepper, cats with out hair and chicken with out the KFC. (Did i say that?) Christ that barista is gorgeous! Where's my crash helmet?

My own personal scary monsters!

I'm sitting here thinking of the things that scare me. Of all the things in the world I can think of it's not having a "well spent life." I saw a documentary back before people were making films about every possible thing under the sun. In it a film maker,Les Blank was was visiting Kansas University at a showing of his film, A Well Spent Life. The film was about Mance Lipscomb,A Texas Delta blues guitar man. I remember the feeling I came away with after watching the film. Mance Lipscomb the elderly guitarist had spent his life playing the blues. He lived a humble life, not rich, by any standard, probably poor by most. His life was his music, and just being alive. Living and being thankful for it.

I wonder about all the things we put ourselves through and the worth of those things. Striving for so much we think we need, or maybe not. What's important, what's the point.
In the film you met the Mrs. A charming elderly African American woman, like her husband, humble. They seemed so comfortable together. Could I ever be that content, that comfortable with my life. It seems like a good question. I often wonder if my life is that complicated of if my choices have just been choices, not of the heart, or perhaps just not true enough to self. I still don't know.
My scary monster. Waking up some day to realize I've over complicated things and missed all the simple joys that can make life the kind of a journey that when your done, you can say it was a, Well spent life."