That was stream-of-consciousness. Better late than never.

Seriously, I have not given up acting; I’ve given up auditioning. I will continue to perform in anything and everything I find exciting, interesting and non-revolting, especially if it pays well.

Kerry - Hey, that’s cool. I like the photo, too. $1. (TOTAL: $35)

That’s all. *ahem.*

First and foremost (the first response that came into my head before I even started typing):

>>Your writing always instills me with hope; for myself, and for the world.

Reasons for this include:

>>You ask the questions you’re asking here, regularly, in different ways, about yourself and about the world (instead of not caring). As I’m this way myself, it this helps me feel not alone, and gives me further proof that it is entirely possible to be cool, creative, and positive at the same time (or, stated in another way, you help disprove the mythology that being dark, depressed, and bitter is the only way to be interesting, or to have an interesting life). And this also helps to show me that, though it sometimes feels like people who embody these qualities are thin on the ground, if I look hard enough, I’ll eventually be able to find more of them, and surround myself with a more positively-focused creative community than I’m used to…

>>You ask these questions with the faith that an answer will come (instead of giving up and settling). What I get from reading you is that, even when YOU think you’re searching for something to believe in, you already believe in something, and that’s hope. You believe in hope. No matter what the topic, no matter what you’re dealing with, your writing always gives off this sense that if you don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, well, you’re damn well gonna keep walking until you do, because you FIRMLY BELIEVE it’s there. You get tired, you get frustrated, but you’re convinced the journey is worth it. I like that.

>>You ask these questions, and you explore your thoughts and discoveries, but you’re NEVER preachy. That’s pretty rare on blogs. I see a lot of other bloggers giving unsolicited advice, offering manifestos on what’s wrong with the world and how it “should be” instead (according to their limited experience with it), or telling their readers how they “should” think or respond. Your writing rarely expresses that. It’s not that you seem opinion-less, but that you somehow manage to keep your personal explorations and enlightenments as just that–something personal to you. Something which you’re sharing with others, sure, but not something you’re FOISTING on them. I’ve never once gotten the sense on this blog that you’ve ever said, implicitly or explicitly, “You should be/think/do like me.”

And lastly, I’d say:

>>Because you write about very personal things, and aren’t afraid to do so with your real name, despite potential personal or professional connections being made to your blog. I admire that hugely.

I hope that’s helpful in some way.

(BTW, As another communications pro who, in the middle of life, is suddenly realizing that speaking for other people is not the same thing as having one’s own voice and living one’s own dream, my first instinct is to suggest we join forces, find a wealthy patron willing to bankroll whatever whim we come up with, and create an eccentric self-expression circus.)

I also had five more email comments come in, for a…TOTAL: $33.

i think of you as a monologist, in the tradition of spalding gray. driven and riven by your own particular point of view and experiences, which somehow becomes spectacularly universal, funny and even tragic. so . . . why not video? make monologues. talk to us. let us see you seeing you, and the world. youtube it. i don’t know what, if anything, it would lead to — or if it would get you any closer to a “career” that might pay — but i have a sneaking suspicion it’s a good vehicle for your talents & pov, and would make an interesting platform for talking about all kinds of things. a little ze frank, a little spalding . . . dunno . . . does that make sense?

I also love “unapologetically irreverent” as a polite euphemism for “Swears with Vigor.” In fact, if we were still being politically incorrect, I might make that my Indian name.

Thanks, as always, for the thoughtful insight. Worth well more than $1. Oh, well–some day, when I’m loaded… (TOTAL: $27)