• ITEM: "Animals at Play" (short video): I cannot shake the sense that the bear and the dog recognized each other as old friends from a previous existence and were just overjoyed to have encountered each other again.
• ITEM: "School Cheating Scandal Divides N.H. Town": We had a similar, far more widespread situation at my own high school during my years there; the kids involved were never punished and happily moved on to schools like Princeton and Stanfurd. Sounds like things work differently in New Hampshire.
• ITEM: The Solano Drive-In: I had no idea there was an extant drive-in movie theater in the Bay Area! Gotta go!
• ITEM: H.L. Mencken, writing in 1920: "On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
• ITEM: Sanity prevails...or does it? Southwest Airlines will modify its boarding procedure. Still no assigned seats; instead, assigned positions in line.
• ITEM: The Lateral Coital Position: A step-by-step (five steps!) guide for assuming it. Hmm... Gotta get a girlfriend into my life again!

"I have close family members and friends who are a member of the gay and lesbian community. Those folks include my daughter Lisa, as well as members of my personal staff.

"I want for them the same thing that we all want for our loved ones — for each of them to find a mate whom they love deeply and who loves them back; someone with whom they can grow old together and share life's experiences.

Nothing says Buddhism like raising a child. To cherish what has already changed as you look upon it. To hold most tightly what you must most let go.