1969

Because I have read On the Road and because Dean Moriarty may be my favorite character in modern literature as of this current moment, I have decided to share with you, my loyal readers, my true, unapologetic and likely misguided life advice, and it is as follows: everyone is everything; by this, I mean that-while not everyone is equally able-even in the exact same circumstances, no two people will react exactly the same.

I have, on numerous occasions, attempted (mind you, in vain) to identify exactly who I am, but I now understand that in order to find satisfactory answers you must first ask the proper questions and that I have never in my life asked such questions and, as such, have not found the answers I have sought, though today I had what some would refer to as a moment of clarity, others a religious experience and others lunacy (of course allowing for the vast majority of the people who have absolutely no inclination one way or the other, or who would rather have me keep my meandering musings to myself).

Until today, I believed loyalty was the greatest human trait but I now realize that it is, in fact, adaptability. You must play to your strengths, be prepared, and keep it simple, sure. But really, what it's all about is adaptation. Guests at Indian homes find themselves ostracized when they don't take off their shoes, but guests at the homes of those easily offended by odors likely would be met with hostility if they were to remove their shoes.