Powerful, Mixed Emotions as Rhode Island Accepts Gay Marriage - Yahoo! News

"With five blockbuster movie releases, in the incredible span of five months, I'm going to suggest that The Rock is the greatest action hero we've ever seen... Sorry Arnold."

Battling Through Death & Grief: “Politely, I used to go my separate way when my friends decided to “light up”. More and more, however, solitude proved to be a formidable enemy. One I could no longer bear to face. I also hated being home with what was left of my mom, and the invisible clock ticking over her deathbed mercilessly discarding the final moments of her life as quickly as it did the ones above her crib. Tick. Tick. Tick. I swear I could fucking hear it!"

Living With Agoraphobia: "I face this fear on a daily basis. I even beat it more often than not, with teeth clenched and shaking legs, I’m usually able to make it through that door and function, even if it is on a limited basis —even if I do need a hood over my head, sunglasses, and possibly earplugs."

"I needed help, but I didn't know that. We didn't discuss it, and after the initial shock and horror wore off, everyone seemed to forget about it. I did my best to follow that example and bury all the confusion, shame, and guilt. I buried it deep and nurtured it, unknowingly, for years."

I CUT MYSEL: EXPLORING MY RELATIONSHIP WITH SELF-MUTILATION ~ "At twenty-four years old, I had an affinity for inserting my wife’s sewing needles straight into my muscle tissue all over my body. I liked it because the wounds it left were virtually unnoticeable, so I never had any explaining to do."

EXCERPT FROM SURVIVING THE FOURTH CYCLE CHAPTER 11: JOURNALENTRY  (Another Wedding) “In a moment of
clarity, I know I need to get outside and ask Nancy if she can help me. I couldn't find Hailey. I didn't dare lookout at the maddening dance floor again, where people appeared to be devouring each other. I felt like letting out a loud scream, but swallowed it instead, along with my pride and dignity. Hey, look everybody... the freak show’s about to lose it again."

EXPLORING CHILD ABUSE ~ "We watched a lot of monster movies, and we watched some that hit a little closer to home too—scary men who went crazy and slaughtered their families. Images from Amityville Horror and Silent Rage laced my serrated dreams with graphic crime scenes… daddies with shotguns or axes. By the time I hit the first grade, I could quote more Stephen King than Dr. Seuss, and I pictured my own death, at the hands of my father, a thousand different ways."

NEW ARTICLE: Can You Unintentionally Commit Child Abuse?      "I wish my bed-wetting, progressive insomnia, and stress-related ulcer (In the second grade) motivated her to break through her comfort zone or open her eyes to the severity of my problems. I wish my random fits of seemingly unprovoked tears, panic, and a growing collection of scars, inspired her to see if there was more she could do."