Brent, I know you'll dig this,



Well I'm 26, who'd have thunk it? My friend Stevie pointed out that John Belushi was born today as well, which is wicked, but more importantly so was my uncle George. When I was in Youngstown last year for a week (on my trip cross country) friends of George thought I was his son, which apparently made him quite happy - and you know, if I had to choose a family member who I'd have to choose as a Dad - instead of my dad - then it'd be George. We spent ages when I was a little kid, 7 years old, on opposite sides of a chess board. I have so many happy memories with George. I told him that on the phone last weekend when we thought I had a blood clot, and we both choked up a little bit.



I've been talking to Liam a bit today, its great having him back in town. We talked bikes a bit, the XS, his GS, discussed building Cafe Racers and all that. In a lot of ways he's as crazy as I am - when it comes to motorcycles. We both want to build a classic road racer some day, and we also want to build an Ice Speedway bike. Hahahaha he's an excellent friend to have, because of what we can talk about.

I also got birthday wishes from Ian, Dave, and a dozen other people. Its been a good day, even if its just been one spent in bed.



I'm on a great music binge today. This one is one of my all time favorite songs, Dylan just does that to me.

I think the next up will be some Josh Ritter.

The River, a Springsteen cover,


Josh Ritter has managed to fill a place in todays music scene that Dylan left open, I never thought that there would be a singer/songwriter of our generation who I would love and respect like I do Ritter. Seeing him live with my brother in Boston remains a highlight of my life. He can pass so much emotion into what he's playing. This song is Springsteen's and yet he makes it his own.

But Rumors, just watch the energy in which he plays! And the words, follow the words, the imagery is incredible, simply mindblowing.


My god.

And this song, Thin Blue Flame,


It is in my eyes the best political song since Desolation Row.

I got a lovely email from Justin which I still have to reply to. I don't think my email has seen such use since, well ever.

I also had my friend Joey perma-ban me from the GTF.N today. That was a sad day, I have been a member and a solid member of the community there for 5 years. But this little bastard from Scotland attacked me because I am 26, and went on and on about it and just really went after me. He claimed it was only the one thread, but he also went after me in other threads. I don't need to be defending myself against stupidity for the next few weeks, and well 26 is old for that forum, things have changed since I joined in '05. Back in '05 it was still the Gay Teen Forum, but you had Cali who was 29? and Frosty was 28, there were other guys in their mid 20s, I was actually the youngest of the non-teens. I talked to CM a lot who started the forum and later killed himself. It was a good community, and quite frankly if my health wasn't shit I'd have a life outside of this room and not be on many forums - but that was the one forum. So that put a damper on my birthday. But it was time, and I'll survive.

There is GTF.O which is actually occupied by many of the guys who were at .N when I started there, most are my age or older. But it's a much creepier forum. On .N I just existed, offered advice, I think in the last 5 years I have talked about 30 kids out of Suicide - which I feel good about. I have talked guys out of doing porn - which I feel good about. I have been there for confused kids who feel the pressures of their parents wanting them to get straight A's - I LISTEN. I offer advice, and so on. Also car advice, motorcycle advice, the regular stuff. I've not asked for nudes, I was never "on the radar" with the mods or the Admin - most of whom I was friends with. Joey - the mod who banned me didn't want to, and was rather pissed at the people who were going after me. But I'd planned to leave before I was 28, now I guess is as good a time as any.


I am sitting here, I have a lot of cleaning to do down here. 4 empty Pepsi boxes, lots of cans. Milk crates and boxes full of books. It is what it is. Its pretty clean for someone who's not out of bed much.

I have so much left in life to do. Ride cross country to the pacific - probably on the Yamaha XS400 (THAT'LL be an adventure hahahaha), learn to play the violin, write my book, become a teacher, get my health, clean myself back up again. You know - the usual.

My uncle Marty got me a birthday present. I should call him. Do that now.