Saturday, December 18, 2004

Does This mean Jobs? Bush signs intelligence overhaul bill. President Bush on Friday signed into law the largest overhaul of U.S. intelligence gathering in 50 years, hoping to improve the spy network that failed to prevent the Sept. 11 attacks. 4:53:00 PM    comment []

Not Funny but Thought Prevoking "What has happened to our moral imagination?". Bill Moyers recently accepted the Global Environment Citizen Award at Harvard, and the speech he gave there is worth reading. Here's a link. 4:51:14 PM    comment []

Still in L.A. Somewhat surreal day here; it's been a few years since I've been here during the holidays, the mild weather a warm surprise. The service for my friend today was beautiful with a turn out of about 90 people in the morning sunlight. there were speakers who shared their memories and feelings, two beautiful presentations of photographs of my friend and his life and a achingly beautiful performance by Dianne Reeves and Patrice Rushen that left not a dry eye in the house. He touched many people in his short time on earth. Some of us decided that the best thing we could do is carry on his spirit through our actions, mentoring others and bringing love and humour to the world in our lives and our work. You'd think that would be unspoken but sometimes you have to say it out loud to remind yourself what is important. Back to Texas tomorrow, a few friends unseen; when you lose a friend like this you hope you have another chance with the people who are special to you. Reach out and let someone know that they are important to you tonight. You may not get another chance... Thoughts Read @ Bill Cope West Coast Memorial Service 12-18-04 11/27/04-12/17/04 Throughout my life I have been fortunate To learn many lessons from those who went before Good, bad, indifferent... shaping, defining, refining But there are those who touch your character And bring quiet in a world of noise We all start out excited, trying so hard not to mess up, disappoint or look like a fool We feel doubt, anger, confusion and success all seemingly in a matter of moments, a blink of an eye You learn that time is time; and sometimes you gotta wait. To earn trust you have to give someone a chance To find answers you have to ask the right questions To see what's happening around you, you have to be willing to look To do right, you have to feel what is wrong To feel the warmth of the sun, you may need to go outside To keep what you have, you gotta give it away. There's the trick; shaping your surroundings, running the show... it's all an illusion. You do your homework, remember your lessons, keep your eyes open, take action and let it unfold all around you. But to do it with style, kindness, some serious smooth... To walk through a doorway and have more than one person smile... You don't have to be tall enough to see over the wall... but it helps! I'll forever be waiting for the signal, the signal to spin, that everything is ok, The all clear, waiting for you to turn around with your hand in the air, A smile on your face, dancing a little bopping popping groove, stepping off As the wall closed in, I'll be waiting, the lesson learned, my job now to carry it on, Teach someone else, share the quiet, share the calm, share the smile, share the warmth, share the trust, share the big picture To give away what was given to me by you. Good bye my friend... 4:34:36 PM    comment []