if you haven’t been following the discussion on non-violence, i recommend you check it out. i’d be interested in hearing celine’s opinion as well, since she’s working towards a phd in international relations and working closely with the head of the global peace and cooperation program here at uci. no pressure though.

i’ve got a lot that i want to discuss with you, but my attention is diverted in so many directions right now–jana and the kids are back in school, i’m starting on several new projects at a new job, i’m practicing for a musical number at the end of this month for church (i am hyrum smith and sing in a duet with his brother, joseph smith), among other things. i have not been a very good blogger or friend for the past few weeks.

in spite of how bogged down i feel, my heart overflows with gratitude for the people in my life. i am thankful for the friend, lover, and companion i have in my wife; i am blessed with the most wonderful children imaginable–people beg to babysit them (thanks susan and chris!); i have examples of devotion, persistence, and joy in my friends, like chris, aaron, jami, and many others; i work with some great people–just yesterday topics of conversation with my coworkers included: the qu’ran, yoga, kids, homosexuality, geophysics, and much philosophizing.

and i have all of you. how much more could i ask for?::