And just maybe into your own
Time for explanation of a sort. I've been ranting more often than not, lately, and I've probably given some people the wrong impression. I am not as ranty in real life as I may sound here. Some, yes, but I am also full of good will, tolerance, compassion, and a great deal of empathy...empathy to a painful degree, which is likely the source of my rants when I indulge them.
I came here, not to participate in a competition, but to have a place to let go. It is my catharsis. My visions. My understanding. My opinion. My beliefs. You see, this is my coloring book, and it has always been so, and I have stated as much - a free place to color inside or outside the lines, with matching colors or with horribly clashing ones, or, if I felt like it, to rip the pages and scatter them. It's my blog. And it is open to the public for one sole reason. Because I know with every word I speak or write that I might have missed something - that I might be wrong. How would I get any input without all of you?
This blog is just two months shy of 4 years old. During that time, I have been through many tribulations, though none more than anyone else, and less than many, I am sure. I have had times where I wrote inciteful things, things that were designed to elicit thinking, things that were silly, and some things that were inane. But all shared one thing. They were very deliberate. Deliberate for varying reasons, but deliberate nonetheless.
This particular entry goes out to a long long list of people. Some names I will not remember, and I hate that, because once upon a dream, my memory was quite good. But I will make an attempt. Abe Cubbage. Bakerstreet. Emperoroficecream, Sir Peter Mayhem (or something like that), Muggaz(BAM!), Locomama. Texas Wahine. Little Whip. Dan Kaschel. Trinitie (new-age nomad). Imajinit. MasonM. straniero (one of our newest friends), ModerateMan. Gideon Macleish. KFC. dharmagrl. xtine. Shovelheat. ParaTed2K. Kingbee. Dr. Guy. Zoomba. drmiler. SanChonino. Col Gene, lifehappens. foreverserenity. cactoblasta, SilentPoet. Sean Conners. jennifer1. Greywar. AndyBaker. Mr_Frog. mignuna. stevendedalus. JillUser. Gerry Atrick. Draginol. shadesofgrey. Hahaha...and most lately, asaxygirl - surprised as I was. And there are probably some that I left out, but that's a good start.
Some of these people have put me in *this* box. Some have put me in *that* box. Some have seen straight through my disguise. Some I have taken it off for. Some have remained noncommittal. Some have found me inflammatory. Some have found me inciteful while some have found me insightful. Some have taken great pleasure in pointing out the flaws in my logic. Some have taken great pleasure in thanking me for it. Some have laughed at my jokes. Some haven't noticed they were jokes. Some have been pissed off when reading some of my stuff. Some have been overjoyed. Some have debated my political ideals, or my religious ideals, or my philosophical ideals. Many have done a combination of all of the above in a meager 57 posts over the course of four years. All have behaved exactly as I would expect them to - because I don't really think we're all that different from one another. Not sure about that? Read the list above again and see if it does not apply to you, as well.
None have known who I really am, but so many are quick to assume by a few words what I have become over my 44 years. The trap those have fallen into is one of assumption based on the very same stereotypes they would rant and rave in defense against. You can see this occur as next year's election heats up. This side will say this in a loud voice. That side will say that in a loud voice. And if you're able to step back and look at the bearers of the two voices, you will see they are exactly the same person. They will both desire something greatly. They will be certain their desire is the most worthy. And they will blame whoever doesn't blame them first. Watch.
In the future, if you want to get to know me, you don't have far to go. I'm in the mirror with you. Should you believe that I am not, then I must be a reflection of you, and so, together we are again because a reflection can't live without a source, and a source without a reflection is a vampire aka "not real."
Thank you all for blogging here...those mentioned and those who I may have forgotten. You have touched my life a lot over 4 years, and, despite what you may project or believe, I appreciate it.