Hi Richard--
 
        Thanks for sharing some of your interests.  I'm interested that some
of your interests overlap with some of mine--some of my former interests,
that is.  I used to be into taking drugs (esp pot) but have now chosen not
to use it.  I used to be more into masturbation but am now more into being
sexual with my boyfriend.  I used to be into Zen but am now into a Zen way
of being Christian.  I think your interests are great!  I'm glad somebody's
holding them up while I'm off doing other things.  Maybe it would be fun to
communicate about our experiences.
        Are you into beat Zen or square Zen (I'm using an old distinction
drawn by Alan Watts in the 1950's)?  I imagine beat Zen.  Are you into
masturbation by yourself and/or with other people?  Do you like to
masturbate outdoors?  I used to like--very much--getting stoned and
masturbating out in nature.  <sigh of nostalgia>  But overall I like my
present mode better.  NOt that I couldn't masturbate now out in nature...I
think I will actually.  But not stoned.  I can't handle pot, for me I go
right back to craving it if I use it at all.  I'm one of those rare people
who can actually be addicted to pot.
        What about the ethics part?  As in clinical ethics, or ethics more
broadly?  The ethics of drug use (there's a worthy topic)?  The ethics of
masturbation (another worthy topic) (seriously!).  Ask me stuff too if you
want.
        That's it for now.
 
Bob
 
P.S. to all:  On that figure-ground thing, with the polar bear in the
snowstorm and the coffestain on rorschach's carpet, how about