Butt. Pull. Sink. Spark.

Hey there, all...

Thanks a lot, everyone, for the kind words and well-wishes, and the assurance that people 'get' what's going through my head sometimes, I guess. For some weird reason, I don't like the idea of going through the responses individually, so I'll just reply here.

2, Delphi - Mmm, that's some tough love! Seasoned, weathered and tasty, like fine beef jerky. *hug* Thanks a lot; I don't think I could ever forget NARFA, even if I somehow get shot out of a cannon and end up in Australia somewhere. You guys are the best. :)

Sylvan, RC - Thanks, you two. :) The spirituality thing is really hard to navigate, especially because it's all a question of faith, which relies heavily on the confidence you have in yourself and your world view. My ultimate goal is to be comfortable and sure in what I believe, but not so dogmatic about my personal view that I can't respect or find validity in other people's religion/spirit or lack thereof. The balance is the hardest thing to maintain, but I'm working on it.

Danruk - *hug* I know exactly what you mean; it's *very* hard to maintain that sort of balance. I have, basically, come to have two sets of friends. "Furry" friends, and "spirit" friends...and usually those two circles almost never overlap. Sometimes, they do, though...and those are usually the people I end up getting closest to. I really hope you manage to find your way back to your spirit, if you're so inclined...and if you want someone to talk to about it, I'm all ears. :)

JT - I'm very appreciative of all my friends...sometimes I forget how lucky I am with the group of people I've found myself with, you included. :) Depression is just another form of egomania...


A few plugs and what not, and then back to work for me.

I've started writing for Tyrnn Everanth's Boomer Express comic, though right now my stuff is being (heavily) edited. Tyrnn's actually got a great, breezy style that translates well to a comic strip; I'm one of those people who tend to make things really weighty with a lot of dialogue. (Must be from reading too much Bruno.) Anyway, check it out; Tyrnn's a really good artist, and the damage I'm doing is minimal with his expert vision. ;) I'll be doing it for the near-indefinite future...I think.

The "Help Jakebe Go To Anthro-Con" phase of planning for the trip has gotten underway. If you're at all familiar with Changeling, you know how exceedingly hard the Pooka Kithbook is to get. Well, through some stroke of incredible luck, I've managed to nab three of them, two of which I'm selling on eBay. If you're interested in getting one or know someone who is, go here and bid for it. I'd be ever so grateful.

In the interest of finding my, ahem, voice, again, I rifled my extensive (laugh) CD collection for a good album to sing along to. I pulled "Up" from R.E.M., which was panned when it came out. I happen to think it's really very good, though. Very contemplative lyrics, a mellow, electronica feel...what Trent Reznor *might* sound like if he overdosed on Valium.

Anyway, I always manage to pick a new favorite song on an album when I haven't listened to it for a while. Right now, I'm really digging this song called "Walk Unafraid"...as much as I hate it when other people do this, I'll indulge and include song lyrics. I wish I knew how to get that really nifty cut function on this thing.

Walk Unafraid
as the sun comes up, as the moon
goes down
these heavy notions creep around
it makes me think
long ago I was brought into
this life a little lamb
a little lamb
courageous, stumbling
fearless was my middle name.
but somewhere there I
lost my way
everyone walks the same
expecting me to step
the narrow path they've laid
they claim to
walk unafraid
I'll be clumsy instead
hold my love me or leave me high

say "keep within boundaries if you want
to play."
say "contradiction only makes it harder."
how can I be
what I want to be?
when all I want to do is strip away
these stilled constraints
and crush this charade
shred this sad masquerade
I don't need no persuading
I'll trip, fall, pick myseld up and
walk unafraid
I'll be clumsy instead
hold my love me or leave me
high

if I have a bag of rocks to carry as I go
I just want to hold my head up high
I don't care what I have to step over
I'm prepared to look you in the eye
look me in the eye
and if you see familiarity
then celebrate the contradiction
help me when I fall to
walk unafraid
I'll be clumsy instead
hold my love me or leave me
high.


Er...speaking of poetry, there's an open mic night at Faybles that I'm planning to make on Thursday night, at 7. I'm pretty nervous because I haven't spoken in about a year...but I'm looking forward to it as well. Here's to hoping I don't make a fool of myself. :)

Mutants Down Under game tonight; summary tomorrow.

Thanks again, guys.