The men in my family are marines, green berets, and otherwise classified as macho men who didn't understand why a guy would be the quiet, shy, withdrawn type, *and* a writer to boot. When I was 16 and found out it wasn't so easy to play with blades, my German teacher gave me some good advice. He said to fuck them all and leave the mark of my footprint in all their faces, their being all those who mocked, teased, and otherwise made life unbearable. It's taken a while, but my first book is coming out this summer, wayless, and I have a contract for four more. Be a survivor. Like I said to them, when they're forgotten--and they will be--I will live on forever and win and they can't take that away from me. Seize adversity and make it your all-in-one plow/hoe/rake/scythe and grow and grow and grow. No more pills, wayless.

_{11:02 pm - Saturday,January 12, 2002}

...so (because i can't start a sentance right) i was catching up on your entries, today, and- i didn't even cry during My Girl- but i was crying and mental pictures of me melting ontop of advil bottles into poet-proof safety lids. i'd be that menial to save you from that (i know- i'm not a hero...but...)... i wish i was something other than a fidgety (whateveriam) who drops through your roof in strange spurts to scuffle around on your carpet and trail off again... so, i'm sorry... (i know, i'm not a hero) if it's anything worth it- i thought about you while i was gone. i was excited to bring you back something of perfection.

_{4:08 pm - Saturday,January 12, 2002}

"i have until tomorrow to grow up." if you sleep on it, tomorrow will come a lot faster.

_{10:45 am - Saturday,January 12, 2002}

I think that you are a very intelligent person with more potential than anyone I've ever met in person. I hope that someday I can capture words into visual pictures like you do, but it probably won't happen. The talent you have is the kind that one is born with. You made me rememeber what it was like for me to live at home, it gets better. I promise. *I would like to be an Eeyore. If you think I'm worthy*

_{2:51 am - Saturday,January 12, 2002}

when we were in high school, you were always so quiet and you came in spurts and you were neither easy to forget nor to ignore. i don't know whether we will know each other for years and years to come like they tell us we will, but for now, you are here and i am here and we exist. you are a work of art and if you feel sad or lost or empty, i'm not feeling much different. perhaps you can find some sort of consolation in that. oh yes, and i would like to be an eeyore.

_{11:43 pm - Friday,January 11, 2002}

hi there.... i was puttering around your diary when suddenly something inspired me ("if you're reading this, sign my guestbook") to drop you a line. youre a fucking awesome writter, with grace, it seems, even when life isnt going your way. go far. later aligator.

_{10:31 pm - Friday,January 11, 2002}

I just read that and I think it was nice also

_{7:56 pm - Monday,January 7, 2002}

we should not do beautiful things together.

_{1:27 am - Saturday,January 5, 2002}

Your writing is gorgeous. Brilliant. I hope you continue to write, because you have a great talent. Wow.

_{10:38 pm - Thursday,January 3, 2002}

Your diary is absolutely wonderuful. Your writing is so visual, they suck me in to their own little world. p.s. I want to be an eeyore.

_{10:31 pm - Thursday,January 3, 2002}