June 2009 Monthly Message

"This monthly message was written by Michael prior to the First Circuit Court of Appeals reversing his conviction"

Dear Family, Friends, and Supporters:

Welcome to my Monthly Message for June 2009!

Last month, I told everyone I would share some of what I’ve been reading in the science book called “A Short History of Nearly Everything” by Bill Bryson. Well, I’m still reading it, because I read two other wonderful books. One is called “The Shack” by Paul Wm. Young and the other is “Only Love is Real” by Dr. Brian Weiss. By the way, if you want to read a book that will change your view on life, I highly recommend reading “The Shack” or “Only Love is Real”. They really are quite good.

Alright, you talked me into it. I guess I will have to share a small paragraph of one of the chapters I read in “A Short History of Nearly Everything”. The chapter is called “Welcome to the Solar System”, and some of you may find learning about the universe as fascinating as me. So, I think you will appreciate this. Okay, our nearest neighbor in the Cosmos is Proxima Centauri, which is part of the 3-star cluster known as Alpha Centauri, which is approximately 4.3 light years away. Now this is the interesting part: everyone wants to know if there is other life out in the universe. Well, a 1960’s professor at Cornell named Frank Drake came up with the “Drake Equation” to figure out if it is possible to have other advanced civilizations in the universe. Are you ready? Without explaining his equation in detail, even with the most conservative inputs, the number of advanced civilizations just in our own little (100 thousand light years wide) Milky Way works out to be somewhere in the millions! Isn’t that unbelievable? Unfortunately, space being as big as it is, the average distance between any two of these civilizations is reckoned to be at least 200 light years. Basically, that means even if another advanced civilization knew we were here and somehow were able to see us in their telescope, they are watching the French Revolution and people like Thomas Jefferson. Yeah, doesn’t that blow your mind? The next time you are outside during the night time, look up at the stars and remember the majority of stars you are looking at burned out millions of years ago. Yet, the light is still traveling here. Can you believe this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Cosmos?

This leads me into the story about the Hubble Telescope that was just repaired. I know some of you may feel your tax dollars could be used in a better way than spending 220 million in new instruments to repair the Hubble Telescope. However, I for one thank all of you, because I love space exploration and the more we can learn - the better. Plus, what good is it having a broken telescope floating around until 2014 when NASA puts the new James Webb telescope into orbit. I can’t wait to see pictures from that telescope!

Okay, it is time to get back to Earth. Father’s Day is this month, and although my Dad doesn’t get to read these messages, I want to wish him a Happy Father’s Day. I really wish I had spent more time with him when I had the chance, because I do love him and miss him very much. As for me, it really sucks that my chance to be a good father was taken away. Although, I guess when it comes down to it, I have no one to blame but myself. I reflect during my sleepless nights if my daughters will ever forgive me for not being there. Now that my daughters are being adopted by my ex-wife and her husband, all chances of me being the tiniest particle in their life have been extinguished. When it comes down to it, they have a father figure in their life, and I imagine they are happy so that is all that really matters. Who knows – maybe someday I’ll get to be in their life again.

I watched an important special about Farrah Faucett and her battle with cancer. I know this might sound weird, but would you all say a prayer for her. I have a new-found respect for her and the many people who are fighting cancer. After taking the Health Awareness course, I now understand how the cancer cells spread so fast throughout the body and why it is so hard to beat cancer. Let me just say it is imperative that you eat right, exercise, and keep your immune system at full strength. Then you might have a chance. Of course, there is always destiny to contend with too, but don’t get me started on that subject again.

On a different note, I want to share another example of how I don’t take anything for granted anymore – not even the little things. The other day I actually got to enjoy a piece of gum for the first time in nine years. I don’t recommend chewing the same piece for more than four hours either, but I was like a kid again for the first hour. It was Trident bubble gum, so I could blow bubbles. Yeah, I know it sounds pretty silly, but I enjoyed it.

Still no news on the decision from the Federal Court of Appeals, but I’m hoping the reason for the length of time is a good one. (Note: Michael’s June 2009 Monthly Message was written before the Federal Court of Appeals came down with their verdict in his favor.)

As I have mentioned in the past, the Department of Corrections in Massachusetts will no longer allow us to watch rated “R” movies. However, now the OCCC (the institution I’m in) has gone a step further and taken away our ability to view newly released PG-13 movies. They are claiming the local Blockbuster closed down so they can’t purchase any movie rentals. With that said, my movie recommendations may be coming to an end. Although, it probably doesn’t matter, because I’m sure most of you don’t base your decision on my recommendation anyway. However, if there is one of you who do take my recommendations seriously, here is my recommendation for this month. The movie is called “Bottle Shock”, and it is about California wines versus the famous French wines. I know it might not sound very exciting and it doesn’t have any really big celebrities in it, but I promise it is a good movie. It’s so good, you might just find yourself wanting to try a bottle of Chateau Montella.

My profound quote is “No matter how many times a story starts or repeats, it only ends once. Anything that happens before that is just progress.” (Lost)

Until next month, take care and remember; “The key to the mysteries of life hide in the pain of our most difficult experiences”.

Love and light to all,

Michael