Hi DruBlood,

I've been reading your blog this week, there's a lot that draws me in here. The first thing I saw, and see everytime I come back, "I believe in the inherent goodness of all beings..." Yes, and when some people say that it's sappy Hallmark, and for others there's pain in it, faith and hard work and almost defiance in love of humanity no matter how unwarranted. This is true for me, and it seems you can understand that.
What else I relate to here:
Punk rock, it saved and killed me too, and zines were how I got started spreading about my own unsolicited and messy personal narrative. I believe in and appreciate the strength and healing properties in putting the personal stories out there. I'd like to see you post some more about what makes you write about your experiences and inner life, and what it took to get you to take it up with confidence and courage.
What you wrote today about family made me de-lurk, to be middle-aged, still searching for true kinship and working through bewildering times with family-of-origin, not only do I relate, I'm basically a phenomenoligist who looks for human stories in blogging, and am glad to have found your warm and intimite site, it's a real gem.

Kind regards,
Robin

Thank you, Robin. I wish I could answer your questions about why and how, but I can't. Sometimes I feel like it's an unhealthy (self)obsession, and sometimes I feel like it's the only way to overcome our societally-imposed isolation. Probably it's a little bit of both. But I do feel like talking about theories in the abstract only gets us so far...and at some point we have to consider the reality of certain situations. So as much as what I do comes off as self-obsessed...the only way it is not is in the larger context. So I'm truly heartened when I read other blogs and find out new ways of thinking about different ways of living and being.

I'm so glad that you "get" the "inherent goodness" quote at the top of the page. I'm never sure who sees that...but I feel like it's a good reminder for me when I come here to write or even when I sit down in front of the computer to read the news. Sometimes I read it with gritted teeth...but I'm forced to read it anyway. Damnit. And it's true for me.

Thanks for your kind words. I really appreciate a little nudge every once in awhile.

I have been waiting for more Flickr pictures ...