"The Mother of All Parties"

Timothy Leary writes in Design for Dying:

When I learned that I was dying, I was thrilled. I posted a sign in my home, "The Mother of All Parties". All my great friends have come to visit, reflect on the past, help me plan and design my future death, and just plain hang out and have a good time. It's wonderful having everybody come and pay tribute beofre you die, in a spirit of joy and friendship.

Instead of treating the last act in your life in terms of fear, weakness, and helplessness, think of it as a triumphant graduation. Friends and family members should treat the situation with openness, rather than avoidance. Celebrate. Discuss. Plan for that final moment.

By all means, stay out of the hospital! A tender other cannot sleep with you in a hospital bed. It's not allowed. Your friends can't hang out over a stick of ganja while the nurse gives you something a little stronger to kill the pain. If you can, gather yourself a team of helpmates and experience the graduation at home.

The house party is a wonderful way to deal with your divinity as your approach death. I cannot recommend it enough. Divinity is something you have to work at and here you can work on it with other people. Increasing intelligence and awareness is a team sport. Invite people to your house party who share your celestial ambitions. Invite the smartest, most open-minded and well-informed people you know. The amount of information is key. Look within, of course. But look within with other people. Let them look into you. Get some navigational advice.

How you die will speak volumes about how you lived.

Dave's Birthday Weekend

Dave's birthday was May 29th, so we indulged in a full-on party weekend to celebrate. We had visits from friends and family on Friday and Saturday. Dave got cool presents including Star Wars t-shirts and a supply of his favorite beer.

Sunday Dan, Mike, and Dave W. took the adventurous drive with us to the country for Casey and Ian's cookout. We were all content to be outside enjoying a beautiful day by the pond and evening by the fire. Dave happily met new friends and ate Ian's award-worthy ribs.