January 16, 2002
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada

7am. With my parents, I attended a breakfast for Stockwell Day, who is seeking support to regain leadership of the Canadian Alliance, the opposition party in the House of Commons. Two years ago, when Preston Manning's Reform Party merged with Conservatives to form the Canadian Alliance, Stock was elected leader by a large majority of the party's members, with great expectations, after being a popular provincial finance Minster, but he made a big mistake. To build bridges with the Reformers, he adopted key people from Preston Manning's staff to be in his personal staff, but they stayed loyal to Preston, and did nothing but stab Stock in the back. They gave him bad advice and let confidential information leak out to the media.

I like Stock. We've met a few times. He doesn't have any polices that I disagree with(that I know of), but I think someone else should take the job, because it would be next to impossible to repair his image in the eyes of the public. There was approximately 75 people at the breakfast and that's not bad considering they had to be up for 6am.

Most folks around here are not politically active. Apathetic is the word. They take democracy for granted, paying more attention to Seinfeld and The Simpsons. They've voted Conservative for many years and don't look closely at any party's policies. Else Wayne, a popular former mayor, is their lady on the Hill, even though her party has so few elected members it barely holds official status and has little influence on the way government runs. But, truly, the whole focus on a politician’s character is a waste of time and money. I don't care about their personal life; I only want to know their vision for the country. After they share their wisdom, they should step down off the soap box and let the next person have a say. I wish we'd stop electing lawyers and business people, and start listening to philosophers and ecologists. The problem is... the way the process in set up, you need money to run, and voting for an independent is a waste cuz they just sleep on the back bench.

The good thing about the Canadian Alliance is that it's grassroots-- it's policies are decided democratically by the members, and any citizen can be a member. The Liberals and Conservatives are "top-down", which means the leaders tell the members what the party will do. For example, the Liberals were elected on the promise that the would get rid of the Goods & Services Tax. After they were elected and it didn't happen, a Liberal Member of Parliament took the Prime Minister to task on his promise during question period. The Prime Minister then kicked him out of the party. Canadian Alliance member's first responsibility is to represent their constituents. On issues such as abortion, an Alliance government would hold a referendum and let the people decide.

11pm. Talking movie making with Chris and Kirk, members of the FAR OUT stunt crew, and Chuck, an artist who may work on the sound track.

12:30am. I've been carrying my movie note book everywhere, collecting names of people who are interested in taking part in The FAR OUT Motion Pictures crew... in any capacity. I also use it to jot down any idea I get that might fit. I let the book be passed around so that other people add their ideas as well. For example, Jill wrote, "This city is one big crack smokin' call center. It is ten years behind the times, yet ages progressed in human sincerity. Cars stop for me. Who knew?"

Rock Collin wrote, "This city is full of close-minded people who need to realize there's more out there and they have to see that they won't find someone exactly like them. Difference is grand! We need people to be themselves instead of what they think people want them to be. Be Yourself. It's better anyway. I'm holding a Hacky Sack competition, June 8 or15, hoping to be on Fort Howe sunrise/set(thanx for the idea). This movie is a great idea... People have to open their eyes! 69 people so far... I'll make myself available anytime; this is definitely worth it!"