Honestly, it is still going and has yet to show any sign of ending anytime soon. I am working on getting out of here, but it is not going nearly as well as I would like. I'll write to you in more detail about it later.

They also reminded me that I don't know what's become of you, and that simply won't do. How goes your Time of Testing, Brother?

Yes, the truth of this cannot be disputed. That's why when I read "Steppenwolf" way back in the day the angst of the protagonist struck me so poignantly – that existing on the fringes, the longing and alienation. (Ever read it? If not, it would behoove you to remedy that lapse post-haste).

You sound a lot like my mom, who came over to the US in the mid-60's from West Germany, where my father was stationed at an air base. She never felt comfortable here, and as the years past she didn't feel comfortable in der Vaterland either – the changes there had been too drastic, the Germany of her youth was gone (not your situation, I know, but still). Some of her attitude about America was clearly passed down to me.

I went all through my 20's (post college, anyway) with no relationship whatsoever. I endured the parade of weddings as my friends got paired off, one by one. Yet eventually I found my way, and got married at the ripe age of 35. Point is, it can happen for you, if you want it (the entire marriage set-up is currently a trap, though, I fully realize that).

Anyway, yeah, I'm out here in the wastelands too, so I thought I would raise my hand. And Neil Peart is without doubt the best, and one of the great regrets I have is that I failed to see Rush when they came into town on what turned out to be their last tour.