November 6, 1998
Progress
Note: Since I will not be in town, Diogenes will go on hiatus for a few days.
If you haven't noticed, I've been straining the last few days to write Diogenes. It's not that I don't plenty in my life to write about. Trust me, there are mountains of tirades, musings, and gentle comments I would do anything to make; it's just that the people who I want them to hear just aren't here.
Moreover, I've begun to worry about this mailing list. I have done far more than I ever thought I would with my original aim of honesty. Yet, I never realized the effect it would have on people. I see that lies are a good thing. Too many of you have come up to me and asked if I was all right, or even worse. . . said I had depressed them.
Maybe it's just that it's easy to be honest with yourself. You have no real choice. Either you accept it or you develop a psychological disorder. However, when you're honest with other people. . . who knows what the consequences are.
I never wanted to hurt anyone with this. I just wanted to help. A friend today was facing a crisis, so I forwarded a copy of "Hindsight needs Glasses" to her. Her comment was what a great e-mail. That's what I want to hear.
I don't want to depress you. I write it as I see it. Thank you again to all of you who cared enough to worry, but I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Worry about yourself. And your friends and your family and puppies and kittens and people with freckles. And if you count me as a friend, even though you are a stranger. . . worry about the freckle people more than me.
Oh, and please tell your friends about this mailing list.