Friday, January 29, 2010

Decisions...Decisions....

So as it seems, the bitch ass upper management of Borders has decided to contest my unemployment payments. Basically, I could lose the small income that I have. Jobs aren't calling, I don't even have any interviews set up. So where does that leave me? Broke and jobless. So, what are my options really? Well, (in the event that they cut off my unemployment)I can sit around the house with no money, and apply for jobs all day online, (since I won't have money to actually catch the bus)I can lose my damn mind from being broke as fuck all the time, or I can join the military. There are many who I feels like theres another option, but PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT IT IS...
I'm not saying I wanna go because I feel that its the best thing to do, or even because I really want to, but I see no other options, either that, or apply to be a cop...and either one doesn't fit me at all...so I'm waiting to hear from the unemployment people and I have to wait til then to make a decision...

Monday, January 25, 2010

Who I Am... The Life and Times of Kane Alexander (PT 2)

So, where did I leave off??? Oh, yeah... Both my brothers were in new relationships, while I had made a new friend.

In the midst of my working my new job, getting to know Cam, and trying to not feel like the third wheel, I just wanted to feel wanted. So I turned to my old coping mechanism. I began to use physical connections as a means to combat the loneliness I was feeling. Bad idea. I got it in, whenever, and damn near where ever I pleased. Bit by bit, I was breaking down on the inside. The thing with meaningless sex is this, its empty. You can't find comfort in empty acts. The void I was feeling only grew larger and larger. Then one day, I got the phone call.
"Hi, is this Marshall?" the voice said.
"Yeah, this is he." I replied.
"Hi, I work for the Daily Egyptian (Carbondale's student news paper), and I wanted to ask you a few questions about Mikal Donaldson, is that okay with you?"
"Sure, but Im a little confused about why. I haven't spoken to Mickey in about 2 weeks." I said.
"Oh, my God. You don't know?" she said, "Mikal was found dead in his home this morning."
The world stopped. I was at work, and I had just parked one of the rental cars when those words came out her mouth. I was stuck, I didn't know what to do. I could not hold back my tears. One of the first people I met in Carbondale had died. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't walk. I was in the garage so long, that one of the associates came to check on me. She found me sobbing in the car I had just finished with. Every time I had to repeat those words "Mickey's dead" it hurt even more. I was the first of our friends to know.
Days pass, and I'm in a fog. I was going through the motions. I'd force myself to smile, and breakdown whenever I was alone. One day it was so bad, I had to ask to go home early. Then, one night it happened. Cam and I had planned to hang out, I was tired of talking to Drizzy and Dramatic and listening to them go on about their blossoming relationships, and I needed a break. We sat and listened to music, and watched movies, and just chilled. Then there was a kiss. The kiss. I don't remember who kissed whom, but I do remember feeling something. Something wasn't right about that kiss, I knew it, but I kissed him back anyway. Before I knew it, we were dating. It all was a blur, we went from 0-100 in a matter of days. I found myself questioning if this was what I wanted early on. After an argument about a party, I knew there weren't any feelings. But I HAD to make this work, to prove to myself that I could maintain a healthy normal relationship. It became increasingly difficult as Cam began to show his true color. Homeboy was NUTS. If we had sex as much as we argued, things would have been ok. Hell, if we had sex at all, things would have been different. 6 months and two indiscretions later, I dissolved our relationship. After the breakup, I decided that it was time to make some changes in my life. I began to take stock of my friendships, my whole way of life needed to change. I decided to start writing, instead of screwing. I knew I needed to change. I knew that I needed to find other ways of dealing with loneliness, but old habits are hard to break. But eventually, I won.
Fast forward to April 2008. My brothers ex confessed to having feelings for me. The feeling was more than mutual. I asked my brother if he would be cool with me and the ex to explore the possibility of us being more than friends, and my brother adamantly refused. I decided to do it anyway. So I secretly dated him. I felt horrible about going behind my brothers back, but at the same time I felt that I had won the prize I had been waiting on. A month later it was over. I kept the secret from my brother for months. It killed me to smile in my bro's face, knowing that I had willingly betrayed him. Eventually, I began to think that the secret would just die. But as they say, "Whats done in the dark will ALWAYS come to light."
Its November, and I had met this young man, and we clicked instantly. Not really sure what I was looking for, I kept my growing feelings to myself. Then thanksgiving night happened. We took our friendship to another level. We began dating, and everything was going great. I was ready to introduce this guy to my friends, and my brothers. December 30th, 2008 we double dated with Dramatic. December 31st, we kicked it hard with Duke and Wifey at our NYE party. January 9th, I got another phone call. "I think I like your brother." I was floored. I felt hurt, betrayed, and I had no clue what to do. So, I lashed out. I called Duke, we got a bottle, and I began to drink WHOLE cups of vodka. I fell myself falling into a dark place, and quick. I ordered my brother to never contact him, blind to my own transgressions. I ran my brothers name through the mud. January 10th, I was out drinking again, and he called, "You told your brother to never talk to me again?" I was livid. I immediately called Dramatic, and laid into him for telling my guy I didn't want them contacting each other, and in a fit of rage, I let go of the biggest secret I had ever kept between us. The events that followed sent me down a road of loneliness and depression. I hated myself, almost as much as I hated my "ex". I became a dark person. I felt nothing. I was set to make him feel all the pain I was feeling. For the first time, I voiced how hurt I was, and I made sure he knew that he affected me in such a manner. I had one thing on my mind, and that was revenge. I had lost my brother, and I knew it was my fault. Valentine's day came around, and my ex tricked me into spending it with him. Little did I know that we would end up re-living thanksgiving. Two days later we were back together. While Dramatic and I were back on speaking terms, I had to convince him that there was a method to my madness. And a few months later, I successfully hurt T. I had no cares about the collateral damage I caused. It was official, I was in a dark place. I began to question who I was as a person. I couldn't be such an evil individual. But here I was hurting people, doing what I pleased, when I pleased. I had also managed to put EVERY ONE OF MY FRIENDS in an awkward position surrounding my situation. I definitely needed to regroup.
Eventually, I was healed. My heart no longer hurt because I found love. I found love in myself, I knew all my friends loved me and wanted the best for me, and as long as I had them, I would never be alone. By the summer of 09, I was a new person. The man you guys know now. I learned my lessons, and I'm always willing to share my story. This who I am. Im flawed, my past isn't snow white, but its the past, and it makes me who I am today. A strong MAN.

FIN.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Who I Am... The Life and Times of Kane Alexander (PT 1)

October 7, 1986 I came into the world, but I didn't come alone. That's right, I'm a twin. I am technically the youngest of four. I have one sister, and two brothers who passed as little babies. I grew up fairly normal. I had my mom, my dad, and my Granny. Pretty typical upbringing. I was a bit of an overachiever in grade school, good grades, and all. Boring. LOL, my life was pretty boring until my teen years, but when I was eleven my life changed completely. I experienced my first death in my immediate family. November 2, 1997, my dad passed away. I planned his funeral, meaning I picked the casket, the burial ground, the date and time of the funeral. I got so sick of my mother crying, and moaning about how she couldn't do it, so I did.
Let's fast forward to my high school years. Carver Military Academy. Yes, I am the product of military school. And yes, I went voluntarily. I was terrified of high school. I had managed to burn bridges with the only person I really knew at my new school, the year before in 8th grade. In the beginning I spent a lot of time by myself, I wouldn't call myself a loner, but I felt alone. Mostly because I felt sooo different, than everyone else. I kept these feelings to myself for a long time. For the first month of HS I was basically navigating my way trying to deal with these thoughts and feelings I was having. Eventually, I found my place, alongside Duke and Lady. During the summer following our freshman year, I came to terms with the fact that I was indeed different than most of the kids in the school, I realized my sexuality. It terrified me. I was confused, worried, and lonely. I grew closer to Lady, while Duke and I remained mutual acquaintances. By the start of sophomore year, Lady and I were inseparable, we even had division(homeroom)together. Before I knew it, Lady was my best friend. We shared everything, our deepest secrets, fears, hopes, etc. She was my rock and my confidant, yet I still felt distant. Over the years at Carver, I became a different person, I was no longer shy, I began to carve my niche as McIntosh, the dude who didn't give a fuck. That's why people liked me, and hated me, cuz I was known for speaking my mind, good or bad. The monster had been unleashed.

I hope Im not boring y'all, its gonna get good, I swear.

I had my friends, and my associates, my grades weren't all that, but I was cool with that. I found my insecurities growing though. I found myself looking in the mirror, and seeing someone ugly, and unattractive, I saw an abomination. I had met a few people who were also gay, and they seemed to get me, they seemed to understand. But eventually, they would fade. I would get those types of friends in waves, they would come and go. Which made me feel very alone, and unloved. Then it happened, I had my first hook up. I was an insecure 17 year old, and he was an insecure 21 year old... we were friends. After the first time, I felt like I had done something so terribly wrong, that it actually depressed me. Not enough to keep it from happening again, or again...or again. Or again. Eventually, I grew bored. I completely disconnected myself from him, and our "friendship", I just wanted him out of my life, and he wasn't going as easily as I would have liked. He was the first time I had to hurt someone. The floodgates opened. I was having sex, and lots of it. I didn't care. I wasn't reckless, but I didn't see the point in trying to get close to anyone, I felt this was all there was, pointless, emotionless, sex. (And apparently, I was good at it, so why not.) By the time I was 18, I had my first real relationship. Talk about a bad romance. This relationship was SO bad, Im not even gonna talk about it much, but it broke me down, and wore me out. And while Im semi-secretly(at this point Lady knows I'm a homo) dating this guy, my home life is going to hell, Im in the middle of trying to get myself into college, and we have to vote my mom off the island for being a drunk, and Im dealing with a nigga who is so uncaring and insensitive. Then I met Drizzy. We were both about to start a new stage in our lives, he was attending the college of my dreams JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY,and he was also in a shitty relationship so we learned to lean on each other, and we became really good friends. I felt like I had met someone who I had finally connected with, it was a great thing.
By the summer of 2005 life was changed again, my best friend was gone to basic training, my "relationship" was still draining the hell out of me, and I was so over it all. I got the best letter of my life saying I had been accepted to Southern Illinois University, and I had a way out. A way out of the house that was strangling me, a way out of this horrible relationship, a way out of the city. I was uber geeked. That August, I was officially on my own. Thus began my life as a struggling student. Also, the start of another evolution. I was struggling for real, surviving on work study checks (about 60-70 dollars every 2 weeks) 20 bucks here and there from home, and ZERO help from my mom. I became very self sufficient. I also began to look at my family and friends very differently, there was times when my friends would do for me, when I'd beg my mother for a little help. I also began to feel more comfortable with myself, and I was in a good place. Then I met Dramatic. We clicked instantly, we talked damn near everyday for almost a year...then the brotherhood was formed.
After a year and a half, the struggle became too much, I was tired of having no help from the fam, and asking my friends to help out here and there when they could, so I decided to leave Carbondale. My life in Chicago was pretty decent, I was with out a job for about 2 weeks, and I was back on my shit. Then I met Cam. We were friends, and nothing more. Dramatic started dating this guy, and Drizzy was dating, and I was feeling lonesome again. So I fell back into old habits, false physical attachments and nothing more.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

A Change Gon' Come...

So, I have like three major things to talk touch on today, so I'm gonna try not to keep you long. Lets jump right into it then, shall we?
Lady, Duke, and myself had our talk Sunday night, and we aired out our grievances with each other, and we owned up to all wrongdoing. All was well with us, except Lady said something that didn't sit too well with me. "Y'all made me look stupid, I've been defending y'all to Prince(ss) Charming, while she tellin' me y'all ain't my real friends..."

Time. OUT.

The way that sounds is that this chick (Prince(ss) Charming) has been telling Lady that Duke and I aren't good friends, BEFORE this stuff happened. Now, I told Wifey about what was said, and she agrees that maybe that was something that should've been kept between them. Now, everyone who knows me closely knows that I'm not the biggest fan of lesbians. Before y'all start a whole debate and start calling me hypocritical, I don't hate them, nor do I dislike them wholly, just not the biggest fan. But, I digress. So, I already have feelings about this chick, and for her to speak out of place about a friendship that doesn't concern her kind of leaves me with a sour taste. I would hate to have to hate her all because the lesbian can't keep her mouth shut and know her role. I hope Prince(ss) Charming realized that we were here before her, and we for damn sure ain't going NOWHERE.

So my second issue is this, I'm back on the grind trying to find a job. I had a preliminary phone interview with a place, and admittedly its not really where I would like to work, but at this point, beggars can't be choosers. But tomorrow, Lady, Duke, and myself will be doing apps, dropping resumes, and basically putting in the leg work to get back on our feet. I mean I'm goin EVERYWHERE. But here's the the dilemma, after telling Sis about the phone call, first thing out her mouth is, "Well, what shifts will they have you working?" and I immediately knew what she was getting at...who's gonna take the kids to school and pick them up? Well, Im not shorting myself on any hours or money, nor am I turning down a job so that her life will be more convenient. I dont mind helping, but its time I refocus on myself.

I'll let y'all know know how the hunt went, but I have a REAAAALLLLY GREAT feeling about this.

FIN.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

The Lady, The Duke, and Kane Alexander

So once upon a time, there were three friends, The Lady, The Duke, and Kane. They were thick as thieves. Their friendship survived a lot, and while Kane and The Duke's friendship was never weak, it was strengthened when The Lady was sent away to the far away land of Afghanistan. After a very long year, the Lady was freed and returned home to her two best friends. The trio rejoiced and celebrated for two months straight, yet, something was different. Though the Lady was very generous and eager to spend time with the Duke and Kane her attention was always split between her two friends, and her new love, Prince(ss) Charming. The Duke and Kane often felt left out because The Lady was always on the phone with Prince(ss) Charming, who hadn't yet been released form the land of Afghanistan.
As time went on, The Lady, The Duke, and Kane slowly stopped celebrating as much, The Duke moved to the distant land of Indiana, and the Lady retreated to the phone calls of Prince(ss) Charming. The trio were still close, yet things were slowly changing. Eventually, they barely saw each other. Then one day The Duke moved back home, and things seemed bright. As the Lady noticed, Kane and the The Duke shared a secret bond, they both along with Wildstyle (the Dukes play brother) began to have Cudi sessions more and more. Once it was discussed whether Kane, The Duke's and Wildstyles, Cudi consumption was causing a rift between the three friends, but the Lady said "no."
All of a sudden, the Lady seemed withdrawn, and unreachable. And sadly, the trio became The Duke, Wildstyle and Kane, no Lady to be found. Weeks passed and Kane and the Duke hadn't seen their friend. Before anyone knew it, Prince(ss) Charming had returned home just as the trio were reuniting. Just like that, the Lady became withdrawn and unresponsive yet again.
So, now The Lady, The Duke, and Kane are not as they once were, and if they are to survive they must discuss this issue.

Moral: Duke and I are on the rocks with Lady. Im hoping that Lady's girlfriend doesn't end up playing Yoko to our happy family, but there are already instances of Lady choosing Princess Charming over us. So hopefully this talk will repair the rifts.

Fin.

Get to know Kane...

So, this is my very first blog entry so I feel that it would be appropriate for you guys to get to know me, and my cast of characters. First, a lil (or a lot) about yours truly. I'm your typical 23 year old dude. I'm a twitter fiend, I'm not one to really bite my tongue. I say whats on my mind even though sometimes I should probably just shut the hell up. I'm NOT a Beyonce stan. I like to call myself "pro-Bey" or an Beyonce enthusiast even. So, there will be some post where she shall be mentioned. I plan to use this blog as a candid look into my life. Yeah, I post like crazy on twitter, and I'm pretty open, but, this will be much more intimate. I'll be posting shit as though I'm the only one reading this. So I hope y'all get to know a lot about me, including the TMI stuff...lol.
Now, there are quite a few people who will be mentioned often so you should probably get to know them now.

Lady: Lady is my best friend, my female counterpart, like me, she's strong willed, stubborn, and says what ever is on her mind. Oh, and she is a new found Lesbione...

Duke: Duke is my male best friend, usually the one to make the wrong decisions, he's still a good person to have in your circle, talented beyond measure, he's my barber, he draws, he works on cars, he's a father. The last title is his drive, he's the definition of a hustler.

Wifey: Duke's on again, off again girlfriend, she attends a prestigious university in W. Lafeyette, Indiana. She's the youngest, and the most trouble sometimes...lol...always the first to wanna party, alot of drunken blogs will be because of Wifey.

Sis: My sister, she can be a bit of a hard ass at times, but she's cool. But she pushes my buttons more than anyone else...lol...

Dramatic: Dramatic is one of my brothers from another mother, he can be a bit abrasive and even though we are closer than most blood siblings, we can fight like cats and dogs at the drop of a dime.

Drizzy: My other brother from another mother. Grad student, kinda quiet, I think out of all my friends, we argue the least. He can be kinda nonchalant, but that doesn't mean that he's oblivious to the things thats goin on, so don't try it.

So thats my family. I love em, and they will be mentioned often so I really hope you were paying attention.

Fin.