Winter in California is a weird thing. It rains a lot. No snow, except in the mountains, but lots and lots of rain. The area needs rain though since the rest of the year is so hot that water becomes a fiercely scarce resource. Hopefully all this rain will mean nice green summertime?

I'm still continuing my search for a spiritual home. I can't put my finger on what exactly I am looking for, but I know I haven't quite found it yet. Some churches are small enough, but the services are informal. Other churches are plenty formal, but too big. And the politics of the religious community in California continues to baffle me. At one service, we had tambourines and rainbows, but then one of the themes of the sermon made a reference to homosexuality being wrong. I wonder if the residents of San Diego are, generally speaking, conservative and the overwhelming concentration of students and transients give the town its "funky" or "liberal" flavor. These folks, as a group, wouldn't participate in organized religion and thus would not be represented.

I am just looking for some place comfortable. I am beginning I will never find another Trinity Memorial. It is a truly unique place, which is what makes it so special.

What I've been looking at recently:

• The Books of Magic - Another piece from one of my favorite authors, Neil Gaiman. This graphic novel published by DC Comic's Vertigo division, tells a tale that is part Harry Potter, part Dante's Inferno. It bears a striking resemblance to the afore raved about Carnivale series in it's presentation of human-divine interations.
  
  
• Good News for People Who Love Bad News CD by Modest Mouse - I am slowly turning into a pop rock fan again. Perhaps I am trying to regain some youthful spirit or just think I am 17 and about to get my driver's license. In either case, this album is great indie pop rock with semi-insightful, but highly catchy lyrics, etheral guitar and a general album cohesiveness rare for music today. I find myself humming some of these tunes in the shower or in the middle of meetings.
  
  
• America: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction a book by Jon Stewart and the Daily Show Gang - This book was a gift I received for my birthday and am just digging into. Boy, what was I waiting for?? The book is written in textbook format and walks the reader through how democracy works (doesn't work?) in America. Wit which sometimes toes that line of tasteless humor makes this book an excellent jab at both liberal and conservative politcal views. And it has nekkid pictures of the chief justices. That right there is reason enough to lay out a few bucks!