a_bit_of_wit_2 / Epilogue: Thoughts and Insights. (Reply)

Once more, the Earth will complete another 365.25-day cycle around the sun. And it will continue to do so. At the close of this year, I read my friends' LJs and I see a lot of angst, depression, and drama. Jill is feeling very depressed, very lonely in the world, now that her love is hundreds of miles away. What she feels now will be me in a short time back on the Cape, with my April, and most of my friends hundreds of miles away. I too will feel the pangs of lonliness and sadness that comes with being away from so many people you've come to know, come to love, come to call friend. So, it's my intention to keep in contact with her, for we shall both be in the same boat. Same holds true for all my friends. I'm here in Albany, spending time with April now, but come Sunday, it'll be the last I see of her until late February, and only for just a few days. I only wish I could give Jill a big hug, anything to make the situation a little less burdensome. I'll go back home, and then comes the fun part--getting myself back on my feet again. But enough sadness.

When I go back to New Paltz in a year and a half, I will declare myself a music major. For some time, I'd been thinking about myself as an English major. If I went through all the courses of creative writing at NP, would I come out a better writer? Possibly. Yet, April had confirmed a suspicion I had in my head. All that changed with her was that a lot of literature was crammed in her head. And while an English major could be useful, something else is calling to me. Last Monday, I saw the new "Phantom of the Opera" movie, and something happened to me, something I never do at movies...I broke down and buried myself in her shoulder, the story and the music so powerful and sad, and so wonderful. While I do love to write and will probably never stop writing, I miss singing in a choir. I miss being involved in a musical, miss the bonds created from working with people, miss becoming the characters you portray, miss all the work and time needed to train your voice, train your body and your mind to sing that line of music, say that line of dialogue. So, a change of major is in order, for music is one of the most powerful mediums.

As for 2004, the year itself was a very trying year. For those of you who know me, who have read the goings-on in the Life of Brian this past year, there are times in which I will long to forget, but through all the shit that happened, some wonderful, shining moments of which I'll treasure forever came to light--I found Sarah, the finest friend anyone could ever ask for, who will always hold a special place with me. Through the mess that life has become, she's been with me, and still is. I also found April, who came into my life, with a love and respect that knows no boundaries. I find myself eternally grateful. All of my friends I've created in NP, who will be at the finish line when I return out of the hole life has dug me into...thanks. You all mean so much to me.

2005 will be here in 7 hours. I hope that all of you, regardless where on the planet you're on, can wipe the slate clean and start anew. If you should need me, my mind and my ears are open--I'm just a phone call away. Hope you all have a great, happy, and wonderful new year.

I'll be back home on Sunday...the week recap to follow.

--Brian

ASIDE: Many of you who have wanted to sign up for the Video Game Villains Character Battle contest have not sent me completed brackets yet. Remember, you have until January 15 to send them in. If you haven't signed up and are interested, go to Into the Lifestream and/or Fantasy World (http://nemiseph.suddenlaunch2.com and/or http://tiduskingdom.suddenlaunch.com, respectively) and sign up. I'm accepting signups and brackets until 11:59:59 PM ET, January 15th.