In the past 6 months, my outlook towards our culture has changed so much. It’s a culmination of things, but it’s largely based on 3 events in my life. The first, obviously, was moving here. Talking to people, existing in these surroundings and being encouraged to explore my intellectual side more than I already had. The second was reading two Daniel Quinn books. This has probably provoked the most inner transformation, as the awareness of this culture and how it’s come to be and just how immediate the need for change is has totally redefined how I view absolutely everything. Luckily, I’ve been surrounded by people who have also read these books and are able to articulately discuss them with me, thereby providing options for hope and survival and change. Third, you have this election business. Knowledge of just how far reaching the consequences of the "War on Terrorism" are and how important it is that we start changing things right this instant if we want to stick around for a bit combined with the new realization of just how absolutely selfish Americans can be has shaken me. Well, as much as an Aquarian is shaken, at least.

To be continued...