October 7, 2002
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada

10am

Hi, my name is Jessica and I'm 16 years old. Since I was little, my older brother Adam has been my inspiration and my role model. He taught me Yoga and encouraged me to eat bland things of nutritious value. He's almost 20 now. He showed me that life is beautiful and completely worthwhile. Even when he was 17 and smoking pot every day, smuggling in alcohol, getting kicked out of our house, I loved him...I envied him even. He had the freedom to fuck up. I loved it. I loved when he pissed me off, more when he made me laugh, when he annoyed me, when he'd push me off the couch...7 years after bickering relentlessly, he became a better version of himself, and he took me along for the ride. As wonderful as my parents are and as excellently they raised me, Adam shaped my point of view more than either my mother or my father could. When I saw your slide show in Maine at the fair, I was completely blown away. How could this man do so much and crave more? As most know, the human race is the most lazy animal and you seem to have contradicted common belief. It amazed me and it made me want to cry. I walked up to you afterwards, thinking I was going to say something, not knowing what and I came to find about 10 people surrounding you. I managed a "that was great, really" but I don't think you even heard me. I believe you to be the spiritual equivalent of my brother, and I just thought you might like to know such a thing. You are a super hero. Thank you.

- J

Jess... you rock. What you said really made me feel good. Thank you. And we both have something in common-- an older brother Adam, who inspired us. My bro was wild too. He introduced me to a lot of great music. It makes all the difference in the world who you grow up with-- friends and family. I feel bad for kids in poor neighborhoods with whacked folks and few opportunities to travel or create art. I've been so lucky. I want to be the cool big brother to those kids, who takes them on trips and shows them stuff the folks don't know. I'm not a saint. I like helping people cuz it makes me feel good. I'm selfish too!

You obviously know how to express yourself. You are the only person who has emailed me from that show, even though over a hundred, maybe two hundred people saw it. And I do remember you. The best part about doing my shows is getting to meet people like yourself who feel the same way I do. I want to be with people who like to rock, know the world is full of magic and are open to see. There's so many amazing things going on everywhere, you just gotta put yourself there.

The action hero philosophy that I'm always beatin' on is about finding the action hero in yourself, and believing in that person you are or could be. It's about faith yourself and understanding unlimited potential. The world is full of chaos and order. Everything is temporary, yet it's effects last for eternity. We are self-defeating, saying I can't do this or that because I'm not smart enough or strong enough. Freedom is ours, yet youth is so fleeting. I just want to savor it, make the most of it, while my body parts work.

This past weekend was amazing! Patrick, a guy from Portland, invited me to paddle the West branch of the Penobscot with his friends. Pat outfitted me with the boat and all... it being only my second time white water kayaking. I started off a bit scared and my stomach was upset from booze the night before, passing out on the picknick table and puking, but after a while I got in the groove, surfing, getting trashed rodeo style, capsized twice but recovered with a roll. So fun, and so beautiful with the leaves red, orange and gold. Then yesterday on Mt Katahdin, with clear blue sky above and the blanket of colors below-- it was heaven. I just want to fill my life with moments like those, playing in this grand amusement park we call earth.

Going to do a slide show now at St. Macs high school for an outdoor pursuits class. Thanks again, and stay in touch. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.

Your friend,
Cory

PS... If it is ok with you I'd like to add your letter to my journal. Not to inflate my ego, although it helps, but really it's important to show the effect of this project: who it reaches and how. Let me know.

Cory (never knew it was Cory...),

First off, it's cool to put my e-mail on the site, and any others you want - no problem.

Now...you are just amazing me more and more! I was of course hoping that you would respond, but not expecting an e-mail right away. It made my day, no lie. And you have an inspirational Adam, too! I failed to mention that my brother plays music like a maniac. He's an extraordinary bassist - he's getting right up there with Victor Wooten (if you've never heard of Vic, he's the bassist in Bela Fleck and the Flecktones - if you like music, i encourage you to check them out if you haven't already - it's inspiring). He also has a banjo...an upright bass...2 guitars (one acoustic, one electric) and he's been trying to teach me guitar off and on. Yesterday, my mom and I were driving and she was telling me how much she misses him and that she wanted to see him, and there he was - right on the sidewalk, walking in our direction on our side of the street. He got in the car and told us that "the syncronicity tonight is just unbelievable" and he went on to tell a story that I think you might appreciate: He was walking around Rockport, Massachusetts (I live in Gloucester, which is close by, he's a nomad) and he was going to go up to the Headlands - a rock cliff type thing overlooking the ocean, right below. It's biiiiig. He was going to walk down the common path to get there, but then remembered something he learned in a survival skills school which was that: a man who walks in his own footprints is a dead man, so he took the path less taken and stumbled upon some beer cans...he wanted to pick them up but the bag that he had was too "nice" for that "this is a good bag!" he thought. He took several more steps and came across a plastic Old Navy bag. What luck. He went around and picked up all the beer cans he could find, and, exiting the path, turning the corner...sat a trash can. HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE WOULD DO THAT? (besides you of course..and maybe me) but remember what I said about laziness...sheesh, it's universal. You said that you noticed how I express myself....very cool of you to notice, as a matter of fact! I'm a writer...or aspiring...I don't like throwing the word around too much in defining what I do. It's an odd thing. I've been doing a lot of free writing lately, and I write lyrics (but don't sing because I don't like to) and lots of poetry. I could give you a sample sometime - you might appreciate it. I'd like to know lots more about the school thing you're doing...KICK ASS...I saw some stuff on your website...but are you involved in all of those things? Oh man, I think it would be sooooo fun. I'd like to work something into my summer schedule...between work and Habitat for Humanity.

-Jess.........I think I should have a pen name! Can you think of any?

PS
Have you heard of Reiki?

Hi Max I have been reading you journals and Have enjoyed most all of what I have read. I just wanted to touch base with you and find out where you are now and how you are getting along. I want to finish reading the Journals I was at oct 13, 98 and have to stop for now as you say we all need sleep. Thanks John

John... glad you dig the journal. I'm just heading out now to do a slide show at a high school. The shows are how I fund the project. This winter I intend to drive back to Mexico and continue paddling south. What are you focused on?

Thanks for saying hello, and if there is ever anything I can help you with, please let me know!

Have fun!

-C

Hi again Cory I have been looking at your web site and found your name. Well how did it go at , St. Malachy's/ St. Vincent's High School, Saint John, NB - 1:15pm. Well I would like to tell you that I am Focused doing God's will and taking care of My Family and Working. I am 48 years old and have worked over 30 years of my life. I have been Married for 26 years " Happily " To a very sweet lovely Young Woman. I have two boys one is about your age 23 and the other is 19. This takes up most of my time with my Church work and Worship times. Cory have you found Jesus to be your Personal Saviour?

John.... I've gone to a baptist church most my life, and my dad is at a deacons meeting as we speak. I was "saved" at age 14, or around there, but I am much more open now to all the ways God is manifested. As I see it, God is love and that love is in all of us, and we express it in many ways.

The show today was fun... a small class... so I was very candid, and open to talk about whatever came to mind.

Stay open. The universe is infinite.

-C

John wrote back:

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (Whole Chapter: James 1 In context: James 1:26-28)