My odometer turned over its 500th mile today as I drove home from work.

I came to Monday Night Zazen prepared to talk about Dogen's comments on the importance of the Buddha's teaching, on how the "special transmission outside of the sutras" is misunderstood by those who don't understand that there is no "inside" and "outside" of the sutras, and on how practice embodies dharma studies as well as zazen. Instead, we wound up talking about the "meaning" of life, the existence of God, the origin of the universe, the limitations of language, and the limitless potential of the mind.

I bought one of those new Razor phones today. On top of my television, computer and car all needing replacement these past few months, last Tuesday night the hinge on my old flip-phone gave way, creating two basically useless devices where once there was one (thus proving its emptiness). The good news: for some reason I had a $100 credit at Verizon, which together with the $100 manufacturer's rebate, rendered the phone (and the cool earpiece attachment) quite affordable. The phone is Blackberry compatible, so I can read my email with it, text message, send photos, surf the web, and possibly even update this blog (can't I?).