Afishionados,

You can be an alcoholic but pretend that you’re not. You can talk about standing up to those who oppress you, but until you actually do it, you’ll never be free. And you can pretend that nothing is wrong, but it doesn’t make it true.

I’ve been out of the Navy since April 27th. It was an early discharge, but it was an honorable discharge. I didn’t do anything wrong and I won’t miss the Lincoln.

I’m trying to piece my life back together; trying to regain my footing. I have a plan in place to finish college, because that is what I really want to do. A plan to get as far away from nuclear power as possible and do something more creative.

But life is full of intricate twists and turns. When those close to you can no longer be depended upon, where does that leave you?

I’m leaving this weekend to go back to Ohio for the first time in years, where I hope to see everybody in my extended family. My brother is, at long last, getting out of the Marines and he’s already home. My youngest brother has promised me one of his infamous bonfires. It will be the first time that the three of us have been together in quite some time.

If Washington does not have the answers I need, then perhaps Ohio does. Catch you on the flipside.