[kj] OT: Summer 2011

[Alexander Smith]

Hey there, Gatherers...

Firstly, I want to say that I hope one and all my dear British friends  
on this list are out of harm's way this evening. I've only heard  
sporadic bits of news of what's going on, and it also sounds quite  
disturbing. Be safe everyone.

Sorry to have been out of touch, but it's been a busy period of late.  
More to the point, my father passed away suddenly on Thursday, and  
it's been quite a surreal situation, to say the least. Suffice to say,  
my and my sister's relationship with the man was unconventional at  
best (he pretty much divorced my mother when I was born, and went on  
to marry five more times....that's right, five). There's a mountain of  
red tape facing my sister and I right now, and I don't think I've ever  
been as overwhelmed in my life.

I will say this: Don't waste your time on grudges and bad blood. If  
you're currently in a feud with someone you care about, sort that shit  
out now before it's too late. It's a horrible cliche, but life is too  
fucking short to waste on stupid grudges.

Mend fences with those you love. At the end of the day, nothing else  
matters, and trust me -- being left with unanswered questions, painful  
secrets and sentiments left unexpressed is a very heavy price to pay.


be well, everyone.

- Alex in NYC