I am looking forward to interacting with you, the rare gems, the individuals who know what friendhip is, who are free enough from games and nonsense to discuss what matters, to engage what is worth --in short, individuals (male or female) interested in sharing who they are and finding alternate realities from others' views, visions and insights, and enjoy themselves tremendously in the process! Note that I am in no way suggesting that "intellectual pursuits" are my sole interest; obviously, there is barely any other way to start an interaction through this cold electronic avenue than the verbal exploration of mutual interests. I would much rather be in the wilderness, but then I would miss the chance to meet you! How else am I going to discover, inasmuch as that is possible, what an amazing being you are unless we communicate?

The truth is, no matter how many times it has been said before, that there is no way to find out what kind of relationship you can have with another human being if there is not, first and foremost, a friendship. (Or, otherwise worded, without true friendship you can develop involved relationships not worth having.) I am more than happy with a meeting of minds, which is a good way to lead to a meeting of hearts, a more evolved friendship. The roles, the labels, are just social, unimportant crutches. So, let us talk, and discover what kind of friendship is ours to claim!

Here are some conversation starters (take your pick if you wish!):

Native American Traditions: I was recently invited to a sweat lodge ceremony (Inipi.) A tremendously powerful experience in the company of some people I met for the first time but I expect to be friends with for the rest of my life! I had the chance to become the rock tender, a fantastic experience. At the moment I'm learning some Lakhota, reading several books (Sun Dance by Walker, books about Black Elk, Fools Crow...)

Survival Skills: The hut is in prime condition, skin fully loaded. I closed a bit more the smoke opening, but it doesn't seem to affect the flow that much --and the snow doesn't make it inside at all. Milkweed is indeed a great fiber for all kinds of cordage, just as the ethnobotany book by Moerman mentions. I have to try the very famous sinew cordage, just haven't got around dealing with that. On to continue the work of tanning (I have an overload of pelts and hides, as I have been procrastinating a bit, given the very stinky nature of the business...) I really want to study my plant books in prparation for a very active next foraging season, and get into primitive pottery.

Psychology: I have been studying diverse books on transactional analysis (several by Eric Berne; and 'Scripts People Live' & 'Emotional Literacy', by Claude Steiner) It is quite fascinating, as well as frightening, how the developmental requirements of our race, the need to make sense of who we are and how to organize our time and behavior, leads to a state of complete lack of freedom --living the 'script'. And what is worse, how completely unaware of it all most of us are. But the worst of it is understanding how it affects children, who have no choice... Now I am moving my attention into Jungian psychology --archetypes and the collective unconscious. An amazing source of inspiration...

Energy Healing: After some time exploring the energy field/chakra system from a somewhat Western approach (on books, for example, by Barbara Brennan) I am fully delving into the timeless Chinese tradition, and more specifically, amongst the various branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine, that of medical qi gong. I found a full training encyclopedic series, filled with the most astonishing information imaginable...

Music: I find quite remarkable that after several days listening to some of the more familiar classical - tonal symphonic repertoire, I end up often craving something a bit more unconventional. In reverse, if I listen to too much atonal or polytonal, I crave something more 'peaceful'. Two composer who never fail to refreshs my ears, no matter from which side, are Carl Nielsen, specially his early symphonies, and Messiaen. On the other hand, I never tire of the beauty and cheerfulness of Celtic music! Now, Native American songs are something else. I have to develop the ears for it, a completely different language... My last venture has been studying ethnic music, first of Europe (most incredible the now lost traditions of east European popular music) and then from Islamic countries, India and Africa. I have no words for my admiration...

Miscellaneous: I got, from the local public library, a whole 1959 Encyclopedia Britannica, for free!!! I still can't believe it, and it is in pretty excellent shape too! 24 volumes packed with, sure, plenty of obsolete entries, but mostly invaluable information overall. And the taste of antique... Isn't it weird to look at a book that has been bound before you were born?

I am working at getting my swimming ready to cover more distance. It's good to have some expert direction to improve technique --my freestyle was much less than efficient... but, oh my, I end up tired after the sessions!

Where will our conversation / interaction lead? Maybe to a promenade by the river / creeck / lake; or to an evening tea session; or to a heated ping pong match; or to a delicious cooking cooperative project; or to a theater play, or an insightful movie; or to the top of the mountain, or the depth of the ocean (scuba diving?). Or...