Ethenbern: Red-Dwarf tree city

So for the few of you who know what I'm referring to here: a glimpse into what I see Ethenbern looking like. Though of course more people, more weapons, more blood. Shotgun the jumper in the back.

Adama's Revelations

I just finished watching the half-season conclusion of Battlestar Galactica, which will pick back up sometime in the fall. I have one cliche word for you. Amazing. The past couple of episodes have flung us headlong into the human-Cylon struggle to find peace and rebuild a world that both have a hand in destroying. As they continue on a course for Earth, sanity is lost, betrayal inevitable, and hope dwindles for no one is who they think they are, and home is a fading dream. The young, pompous son has matured into a great leader, president in the absence of Laura, the hot-headed, rebellious Thrace has finally achieved her destiny in unlocking the key to earth, and my personal favorites Admiral Adama and President Roslin have finally realized that a different path is needed in order to preserve humanity, one that includes trusting the Cylons. You see their leadership falter as they both endure difficult realities, such as the Admiral's C.O. revealing himself to be a toaster, and Laura's cancer ever speeding her on toward death. This little band has endured close to hell to see the fulfillment of the prophecy that they would find earth, and as Bill takes that first step onto land, grabs a handful of dirt, and throws it away angrily, you know they haven't reached their resting place. Another mystery is yet to be solved before the colony can settle in renewed hope, and began again with the Skin-jobs by their side. The scenes just before landing on earth are everything they should be. The crew rejoices, Adama delivers a short but poignant speech, he embraces the woman that's given their vision strength, Lee hops onto the com and hollers like a madman, Celtic battle music plays in the background. Beautiful. But then the camera fades with Laura's cynical word, "earth," on a dreary, desolate beach and the ruins of a temple that look like they've been blown to pieces. Everyone is disheartened, human and Cylon alike, as they glance over what should have been a glorious end to all their perseverance and struggle. Wow. Great job Moore and Eick. I couldn't have thought of it better. Now, we only have to wait a few months to see the path grow darker before, hopefully, they can "lay their burdens down" in the light of their new home. Will Laura really die? Will Adama be able to maintain his sanity if she does? Will Saul and the Admiral forgive each other? Will Baltar ever confess his sin to the rest of humanity? Will the Cylons revert to their old ways? And of course...who is the final fifth? This show is not for the faint at heart but I recommend it to those who enjoy a good boxing match or a flight through the stars. You won't be disappointed.

Dances on the Frontier

So if you've ever been to a foreign country or begun a venture you weren't quite sure how it would end up then you'll agree with me when I say there's nothing like it, no better school, no amount of entertainment that can equal such an experience. I've been reading Dances with Wolves. Not only do I love the wild beauty that is the frontier, the strange civilization of the Indians, and the story of one man's quest to discover what it means to truly be alive, but I find myself entranced in his words and in the memories of my own journeys where I've tasted similar things.

You take that first step off the plane, nothing smells right, no one speaks English, you know there are two things that never change: coffee, and beer. Aside from that you're on your own. I'm exaggerating here for literary's sake so please...

"With a startling suddenness, the lieutenant felt overwhelmed. He realized that he had no idea where to begin, what his function should be, or even how to regard himself. He had no duties, no program to follow, and no status."

As you begin to settle into life of a different kind, life out on the frontier where values don't equal what is common in western society today, you begin to see with very different eyes. The woman who's lived there all her life yet still treats the poor with fresh compassion, a cup of coffee shared with someone you might've gone to war with once, the passing of stories from one culture to the other, laughs over who said what wrong and how close it was to being a major taboo...all elements which make for a rich day.

"What he might have had lacked was pale in light of what he had. His mind was free. There was no work and there was no play. Everything was one. It didn't matter whether he was hauling water up from the stream or tying into a hearty dinner. Everything was the same, and he found it not at all boring. He thought of himself as a single current in a deep river. He was separate and he was whole, all at the same time. It was a wonderful feeling."

You don't have to go gallivanting across the world to know what I mean. A simple risk, a chance where it makes sense to make sense, is all that's required. It doesn't matter who you aren't because you're too busy being who you are. To all my friends who've been there and are there keep on riding. I'll be joining you when I can.