Out Of The Darkness, And Into The Light.

Writing has always been something of a warm blanket for me. It comforts, makes me feel whole and in general makes me happy. The desertion of this blog for the past 2.5 years notwithstanding, I've always enjoyed writing.

Now, as I am approaching the return to writing more personal works through this blog I suppose the question that must be asked is simply "why? Why get back into writing personal stuff, and why now?"

Well, it's kinda simple - I'm not in the same place I was the last time I decided to write something at all. The last time I wrote on this blog, I had just finished celebrating a beautiful event with two friends I hold dear - their wedding. I came away from that feeling wonderful for them, but terribly alone. Seeing them happy made me realize what I was missing, more than ever.

So, things have definitely changed - and assuredly, for the better. Thus, here's a short list of things I've done since then.

1 - I found the love of my life.

Okay, gotta start by not burying the lede. After the wedding, I got into dating online moreso than I had before. I had a few short relationships, two lasting a couple months each. One lady was nice, but things just didn't work out as lovers though we remain friends to this day.

The other... well, the less said about that the better. Let's just say that I've learned the fun of a breakup via text.

However, these did help because they helped me figure out what I WAS looking for in a partner. About six months after the bad breakup... I found it.

She's wonderful. She's the person whom I am most comfortable with, and vice-versa. I'm the person who she trusts to drive her anywhere, and we have spent more time together than apart. She's still a college student (though only a couple years younger than me - she went back to school) so we're waiting for her to finish college before we take the next step.

2 - I started writing for another website, and run a radio show for them.

So, this is where the bulk of my long-form writing has been dedicated. Now, the caveat?

It's for a reality show. Big Brother, in this case. It's also the most fun I've had writing in ages. I get to talk to other superfans, and my work is appreciated to boot. The radio show was a bit of a natural progression, and I went from "frequent caller" to "co-host" to "host" over the course of three years.

Those of you familiar with my previous podcasting work know I have no problem talking. This just happens to be about a topic I really enjoy, every week.

3 - I've been writing a FUCKTON of stuff on Facebook under my real name.

Yeah, no surprise there.

4 - I've built a few car models.

...

Next.

5 - I've been generally happier with myself and life.

This one's the one I'm most content with over the last couple years. To be at peace of late has been refreshing, frankly.

So, that's where I'm at right now. The questions of the beginning haven't been answered, though. Why get back into this at all, and why now?

Well... I think I've got something in the tank, and I have some things to say. I want to do so with the anonymity of this site, so that I can be a bit more protective of my real life and whatnot. With State of Mind, I can do exactly that.

So, consider this a refresh - a restart. I'll eventually archive/delete the old stuff, and start writing new stuff here. You may well see any number of topics covered here, and you may even see some fiction from time to time. I'm trying to stretch some muscles here that haven't been used in a while, and there will be stumbling blocks to overcome.

Still, if you'll have me then I'll take you along for the ride.

Welcome to the new State of Mind, In Exile.

Out.