sw00336a-was.is

 Autobio



Then and Now


When I was in high school (1955-59) I was among the elite
intellectually, but I was also among the physically small; and
while--as in elementary school--I did participate in school
and non-school activities, often in my "free" time I created
link-by-link chains of fantasies.  Though I did not know then
I had an INFP personality, I did know I had a melancholic
temperament.  I did know I had a good memory, but not a
superb memory.  Though I was quite fast over short distances,
I did know I had an oxygen-intake disability and that/ my
body was allergy-prone, and that/ my appendix was weak--
a fact I so consistently forgot it almost cost me my life in the
spring of my 22nd year.  [ Note:  One does not become 1
until one's first year is done. ]  Had I not been able at times
to stand back and laugh at myself, I might very well have/
committed suicide.  As it was I almost did so accidentally
several times.  Especially about sexual matters, I was rock
naive.  Puberty pulsed into my consciousness when I was
twelve, about the same time I first attempted to write a
poem and paint on a canvas.  Along with that physical change
came psychological changes I was not able to properly address. 
On occasion I/ became aggressive/ toward other boys, but
most of the time my lack of physical strength (blessedly)
prevented me from being a danger.  I do not know how my
epileptic brain (which was not a known back then) relates to
how I was, but I do know I had a habit of seemingly spacing
out when a thought-process block stymied me--a habit/
condition/disability I still have.  Almost always/ I've been the
last one to finish an exam.  While I sometimes have a lightning
wit, when it comes to matters of consequence, my mind at
times is years slow.  I easily misunderstand or simply do not
get/ jokes; and (to me) practical jokes are definitely not prac-
tical, nor are they jokes.  I "think" a well-designed sufficiently-
tested humor course would benefit the human community on
this planet immeasurably.

--from the hermit who lives in the 
fantasy realm known as Sprintedon Hollow--


As to the VA Tech rupture, I extend my gratitude/ to
Josh Corey, Ron Silliman, Nikki Giovanni, and all others
of like mind, both those who are yet amongst us and
those who are not.


Now I am going to proffer something many may not agree with:
One never knows when, or how; but God does, and knows why.



-
Brian A. J. Salchert