CHILDHOOD BLUES

For your enjoyment and a good laugh, I present you with a story from my childhood. (Heads up, though, it’s “Rated R.”)

Yeah . . . that kid was going through a lot.

I grew up a military brat, the youngest of four brothers, and the first film I saw in theaters was Gladiator—hence all the violence (an aspect of Ace of Shades I made fun of, especially when all my childhood stories had so much of it—as well as the post-911 films and media). When I was seven, my dad came back from overseas and told me that he had killed a boy my age holding a grenade; such a life was the norm. I could go on and on about my childhood trauma, but I think these images speak for themselves. Truth be told, it’s a miracle every day that I’m still alive.

Still, I like the Playstation 2 interludes and unnecessary/illogical time jumps. Always gives me a good laugh. “THE O” was my “brand,” much like MARVEL and DC COMICS, and I’d even put the label on the back of my “novels” I’d staple together. I love the imagination of children.

All that kid wanted to be was a writer/director/composer/actor/comic book artist/husband/dad/secret agent/superhero, and I’m sure he’d be happy seeing I ticked off some of those boxes. Wherever you are in life, and whatever you’re going through, always know you can make your dreams a reality, even if they don’t come out exactly as you expect them to.

Never give up on life, and it’ll never give up on you.