This weekend I went to Philadelphia to see Scott, who was there for the week seeing his folks. He had an extra ticket to Cirque Du Solei “Delerium” and I thought this would be a great way to forget about the previous week and have some fun.

Scott took me on a history rich tour of the city starting with Carpenter’s Hall where the First Continental Congress met in 1774. I must say to be in the same room in front of the same chairs and under the same roof where all of this started was wild.

Next it was on to Independence Hall where we saw the first courtroom and saw why people “stood trial”. From there we were taken to the room where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Again, to be in the space where revolutionaries first snubbed an oppressive Great Britain was moving. The concept of “taxation without representation” was but a distant memory from some long lost history class for me. It was good to be reminded what the Boston Tea Party was all about. Seeing all of these places and remembering what democracy used to mean was a very enlightening experience.

We ate at a place called Tangerine. The room was illuminated with, you guessed it, orange lights. I ordered a bottle of Morgon and a first course of scallops over potato brandade and artichokes. Scott ordered the tuna tartare followed by spiced chicken over couscous with green olives. I enjoyed a grilled pork chop with a chorizo corn fritter and a pomegranate relish. It was the best all around dinner I have had in a while.

The show was AMAZING with an emphasis on visual effects. The stage sat in the center of the stadium where it was capped with two huge screens to show what was happening on stage. The people in charge of projecting the images used layering and overhead cameras to add more depth and interest. To further entertain us, the stage was equipped with sheer curtains that covered both the front and back. Every now and then the curtains would close. They were sheer enough to allow us to see the stage and the performers, but solid enough to show stunning effects like flames or water. Meanwhile, the screens on either side showed what can only be called “dreamscapes”, random images that one would associate with dreams. The show ended with me feeling quite out of shape and a strong desire to sign up for the next Yoga class.

Scott’s mom lives on the Delaware River where Washington crossed in the Battle of Trenton. He took me a short way from her house to Bowman’s Tower. This is the tower that Washington constructed in hopes of seeing any intrusion during the time of the battle in 1776.

Walking up the same stairs used by George Washington was too cool. History takes on a new meaning when you are actually where it happened; it becomes more real and more tangible.

It is always nice for me to meet the parents and family of people I care about. It lends much more to their character and gives me a deeper understanding and appreciation of them. Hanging out with Scott in the home he grew up in was fun. It was very comforting to be in that space and a little part of me really liked messing around with him in the basement downstairs. I liked seeing his high school and hearing stories of him growing up right where we stood. His mother and mine share similar traits. I cannot wait to have the two meet in January when Scott will come out and later accompany me and Milo on our cross country trip back to California.

So I’m in New York City on nine eleven and having to deal with that combination didn’t enter my brain when I agreed to be here for Heatherette and Fashion Week. Five years ago, like most Americans, I sat in front of the TV in disbelief and watched as we lost our brothers and sisters in the horrific disasters that made this date infamous. There is nothing I can say here that hasn’t already been said. What I can say is that there is a buzz in the city today and it’s most excellent. You cannot defeat New Yorkers! For the next couple of days Hazzard Ahead will be silent to honor the great losses this country has suffered in the new century; and I mean so much more than the human toll alone.

While we’re away I think everybody should watch the documentary on 9/11, “Loose Change“. When Oliver Stone came out with “World Trade Center” I was a little angry at the idea of Hollywood turning profits over something so horrible that was still fresh in our hearts and minds. Whether you spent $9 to see WTC or not you should take the time to watch “Loose Change” for free. It was the most worthwhile 81 minutes I spent this year.

This is not your X-Files, Matthew Moore style of doco. There are no accusations, no fingers pointed by any of the makers of this film and no false hope of a tidy ending; that’s not its purpose. Dylan Avery, Korey Rowe and Jason Bermas present overwhelming evidence that contradicts just about everything the public has been led to believe about the events of 9/11. Watch the video, keep an open mind and draw your own conclusions.

“The Simple Nature of Truth is that it Wants To Be Known” - Unknown

I am not an openly political person. I do think the President mirrors the attitude of a 7-year-old most of the time, but other than that I do not pay much attention to things. When I arrived home today I found Sarah reading a long newspaper with a bunch of statistics in various script running up and down the paper. She said that I had to hear this and began to read a couple to me. They were absolutely astounding, even to me. I thought that I would share them with everybody.

I am quoting the “Hightower Lowdown” by Jim Hightower and Phillip Frazer. It is a monthly publication by Public Intelligence Inc. Their website is can be found here.

“During his Gubernatorial Days in Texas, George W. let slip a one-sentence thought that unintentionally gave us a peek into his political soul. In hindsight, it should have been loudly broadcast all across our land so people could’ve absorbed it, contemplated its portent … and soundly rejected the guy’s bid for presidency. On May 21, 1999, reacting to some satirical criticism of him, Bush snapped: “There ought to be limits to freedom.”

Here are some of the quotes and statistics that I found to be amusing and despicable:

• The annual salary of Stuart Baker, hired by the Bushites to be the White House “Director for Lessons Learned”: $106, 641
• Number of lessons Bush has seemed to have learned: 0
• Current Pentagon spending per month in Iraq: $8 billion ($185,185.19 per minute)
• Amount that Halliburton pays to the Third World Laborers it imports to Iraq to do the work in its dining facilities, laundries etc: $6 per 12 hr day (50 cents an hour)
• Increase in Halliburton’s profit since Bush-Cheney took office in 2000: 379%

These are some quotes that I feel spell out Bush’s state of mind quite well.

“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.” George Bush. August 2004

“I’m the commander-see, I don’t need to explain- I do not need to explain why I say things. That’s the interesting thing about being the president. Maybe somebody needs to explain to me why they say something, but I don’t feel like I owe anybody an explanation.” George Bush. August 2002

“Since I left Halliburton to become George Bush’s vice-president, I’ve severed all of my ties with the company, gotten rid of all of my financial interest. I have no financial interest in Halliburton of any kind.”- Former CEO Dick Cheney, Meet the Press, September 2003

Annual payments that Cheney has received from Halliburton since he’s been vice-president:

• 2001: $205,298
• 2002: $162,392
• 2003: $178,437
• 2004: $194,852
• 2005: $211,465

When they say, “If you aren’t outraged, you’re not paying close enough attention” I guess they’re right. But this is the kind of stuff to give you an ulcer!