MOUNT MADONNA .........................................
(Watsonville, California)

The mount madonna Center is located on 355 acres of meadows and redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with views of Monterey Bay. It is inspired by the teachings of Baba Hari Dass and sponsored by the Hanuman Fellowship, a community "designed to nurture the creative arts and the health sciences within a context of personal and spiritual growth." The primary goal here is to attain peace. Community l... read more

it's late night, like one o'clock, and i'm kicking it.

1. Be famous. This is apparently the best method yet discovered by man. It's ideal to be a wealthy, smoky-eyed actor, but being a well-known local musician will definitely do in a pinch. There are varying amounts of ass available, of course, and a basketball player or a rapper is going to get a little more than the CNN weather guy, but listen, that's guy's getting his share too. Don't worry about the CNN weather guy.

2. Be "that sensitive guy." This is a riskier approach - admittedly, i... read more

"Santa Cruz?" said my dad. "Why Santa Cruz?"

"Why not Santa Cruz?" I countered, my left eyebrow raising rakishly.

"That's no answer," he said.

"I've heard that part of California is very nice," said my mom.

"You stay out of this," grumbled my dad. "I want to hear what your son has to say for himself. Why, Sam? Marijuana?"

"They do have excellent marijuana," I admitted. "That's the rumor, at least."

"You can smoke marijuana right here!" cried my dad. "I'll smoke with yo... read more

THE 99 TYPES OF TRAVELERS

1. The long-term know-it-all with ratted hair and a permanent tan who bounces from one low-paying traveler jobs to the next; s/he may or may not ever go back home; s/he may or may not have genital warts. (Or hoof and mouth disease.)

2.The old, fat, puffy-faced career alcoholic from Germany, England, or Australia who came to Pattaya to "experience life" and delve into the world of sin. You can tell him by his red sweaty head, tevas with socks, and nineteen year-... read more