The Definite Article

Aw, I love you, man!

Smile.

Hey Nate, well it took me sometime to figure out why you werent answering my emails, though Ive heard its normal you didnt do it before.

Well I really dont know why you are or where (Im sure youre ok now) feeling low, actually I dont know you at all, I know you are a relative, a cousin, and I feel close to you because Ive heard your name a couple hundreds of times, but I think I have only seen you once and I dont remember it.

Anyway, I just wanted to say how much I envy you, having all your family supporting you when you are down, seems great.

I would really like to get to know you, though I am afraid because you are lightyears smarter and I may justg bore you to death.

Oh weeelll, just smile, even if its fake, it helps me sometimes, you are not alone. Hugs, R.

Hey, Rahmat!

Sorry I didn't respond to your email sooner - and you're a web programmer; gosh, I could never do that!

And you have a daughter; I have no children, and this sometimes makes me sad.

So there's no need to be afraid.

Much love to you, as well, my cousin.

Hugs,
- Nathan

Hey nae, speaking of not reading/answering emails, nevermind. Anyhow, the rite of spring is one of my favorite pieces of music too. I love you man.

Nae,

There are many temporary distractions that I could link here:

I'm currently on an architectural kick (um, I guess that's 7 years running.) I caught the bug rehabbing our house and being amazed at the different systems that a house consists of.

Click through and read some of these guys' work. They sort of make the ultimate dream spaces for hackers and geeks. Some of the designs are truly horrific, but some beckon towards those early days of dystopian cyberpunk dreams (pre-Matrix).

http://www.lot-ek.com/permanent.htm

Also, have you ever tried making your own lighting fixtures?

http://www.gregtatedesign.com/lighting.htm

I think the prices are either a joke or an impetus to create them yourself.

That said, once we get back to the States Mara and I are definitely subscribing to this mag:

http://www.readymademag.com/feature_15_macgyver.php

Anyway, these are just temporary distractions. I really think longterm, you need to get back in touch with your spiritual nature. You don't even need to believe in God-- just find something that will get you in touch with this fine soul of yours. Like, why don't you explore and use techniques in Zen Buddhism to sort of gain perspective-- and then go out to one of the many lovely parks or streets of Edinbourgh and reengage yourself with the world.

Take up something else creative and like glass blowing. C'mon use all that stored up hot air for something!

Love,

Mark

I meant in the last line "Take up something creative AND COOL like glass blowing."

Also, let me check out our iTunes top 25:

1.Purple Rain Martin Sexton (Awesome!)
2.Shiny Happy People R.E.M.
3.Diggin Me Martin Sexton
4.Living in the Moment Mason Jennings
5.Happy As a Dead Pig in the Sunshine Kaki King
6.Daybreaker Beth Orton
7.In Between Days Ben Folds
8.Diner Martin Sexton
9.Oh What A World Rufus Wainwright
10.How It Should Be (Sha Sha) Ben Kweller
11.Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk Rufus Wainwright
12.Tainted Love Soft Cell
13.Concrete Sky Beth Orton
14.America Marcy Playground
15.Sweet Ones Sarah Slean
16.I'm Not in Love 10cc
17.Comfort Eagle Cake
18.I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) The Proclaimers
19.Blister In The Sun Violent Femmes
20.Shalom Anima Sound System
21.Steve's Last Night in Town Ben Folds Five
22.Carmella Beth Orton
23.The Times They Are A-Changin' Bob Dylan
24.In Between Days The Cure
25.James K. Polk They Might Be Giants

I like this whole idea of trading iTunes Top 25 sets.

It's a cool idea. And that's a whole lot of Beth Orton. Mind you, I really like that "Somebody's son" song.

Tainted Love, a classic. I don't know Martin Sexton at all, but on such an authority as yours, I will check him out.

The Times They Are A-Changin'. Interesting. There's a song by the fictional Bob Roberts entitled The Times They Are A-Changin' Back which I've always liked.

Oh, if we could introduce you to one artist, it would definitely be Martin Sexton. That means, there are other artists I enjoy, but I think you would enjoy Martin Sexton most.

But then, I'm not sure why anyone wouldn't like Martin Sexton - unless perhaps they were just totally blinded by the bubble gum pop culture. Which is definitely not you (heeheehee - even thinking about it makes me giggle!).