Well it's good that you are here in the vast, open, healing Playa desert landscape. I really think it will do you some good. It's so grounding for people who have been too caught up in commercial consumerism and the petty, narrow goals it markets. Like "I have to have a rock band" or "I have to get into some fancy institution" and so forth. There isn't that "I need I need" vibe here, that vibe that lots of people have who have been overly toxified by our discouraging, spiritually contaminating "I need I need" culture. "I need someone to love me!" "I need to be successful!" "I need to have my old boyfriend pay attention to me when he doesn't!" It doesn't matter if you get those things, you know? I mean it's been nice for me to have those doors open, so I can let my light shine and give to my friends, but I would have been content without all of it, the money, the Fuller Grant, the fulfilling balanced relationships, the spiritually rewarding travels, everything. OK I know this is my spiel—but it's totally valid that less, you know, less experienced people may feel that "I need" pressure because it's just the way our culture works? But, here at the festival, it's more of a group thing. People just sort of. . . inspire each other . . .

It's funny I keep thinking of what Brad told me when I met him last summer on that archaeological dig in the Patagonia uplands. We had been working all day, just shoveling heavy clay in the hot sun with our shirts off, and he said, "You know, I have seen so much in my life: the movies, my beautiful wife, Jen, my ample free time to pursue my passion in architecture, being considered "Sexiest Man Alive" repeatedly by People magazine, but after all is said and done, it's times like these when I am beside other genuine souls, working on a common goal for mankind, that matter. Humanity is what I hold most dear." And then we walked down to Main Camp together. Silently. Feeling the humanity between us.

You know, I should introduce you to Grace Goodchild. She has this major system of self-discovery called The System that has really helped a lot of people. Basically you must ask yourself six questions: Are you really happy? Do you have a heart direction? What is your heart's story? What is your head's story? What is your story? What can you do with your story? She teaches people here to let their problems not affect them. How aging is actually caused through stress and stressful lifestyles. But whatever. I mean the way YOU handle stress is amazing. I mean you always somehow pull through don't you? You're like a hero with stress! Ha!

I can't believe that you are here! So . . . where's your water bottle?