The holidays were a bust. The flu kept me isolated within a 200 sq. ft. area, but the down time (literally) allowed me to take in a short and incredibly inspiring Christopher Hitchens book: Letters to a Young Contrarian. Although I disagree with his stance on Iraq, I now understand and appreciate his point of view while accepting the notion that most Trotskyites embrace interventionism. The book was written years before the tragic events September 11, 2001. But Hitchens is convincing in reasoning that removing inhumane dictators is as important as vocalizing dissent. Perhaps the real tragedy since September 11 is that we've made one country better and one worse, though I'm still suspicious of how we plan to make Iraq "better."

Enough politics. Work has been quiet, weather cold. But the music is warming up. Rose Fries and Sweet Rye will be performing this Friday, and my inaugural solo performance last week with the resonator was challenging but sweet. After months of inaction, there seems to be some inspiration creeping up into the creative process as well as social and political activism.

This day is in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and all those who dedicated their lives to racial equality, by any means necessary.