Now for something different

This is a costume designed by the guy whose sketch I posted a few weeks back, and who also worked up the costume for my "Mon Petite Poney" poster from a few months ago (what's even better -- those are his shoulders modeling it).  He's one of those people who's become fearless thanks to the intolerance slung his way, so his line of clothing is just as brash and don't-give-a-fuck as you can imagine.  I love reading his blog (check out House of Vader in the "blogs I follow" section below...just not at work), even when I think he's gone a bit too far.

Me...it's hard as hell for me to even go far enough (a limitation that is telling in this "farce" I'm trying to write).  Which is a funny thing for me to say, considering the books I've written and were published.  They're as brash and in-your-face as Dave can be, but with a novel you can still hide a little.  And that's what I do.

I simply don't share this aspect of my life with the people I know here in Buffalo because I also know they'd be a bit freaked out about it.  No, that's not right -- I ASSUME they'd be freaked out.  Because it would freak me out...I guess.

It's all pretty silly, and it's not like the shadows you hide in can't eventually be illuminated by any light anyone shines into them.  And my recent experience with Amazon showed me I'll still stand up for my work when it's been threatened or dissed, even in the face of people telling me not to.  But that doesn't come from my living the life I want; it's due to me getting pissed off and saying, "You ain't gonna pull that shit on me."  And then slamming back in my usual "scorched earth" policy.

Dave, however, shows me what true courage is -- living your life like you want and fuck the consequences.  The old, I am what I am" attitude, with a strong splash of "and if you don't like it, that's your problem."  He makes me want to be better in my own world.

So thanks, Dave.  You kick.