First, let me express my heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation to all of you who offered your support and friendship. It is an incredibly humbling feeling to know that "you got my back" for lack of better words.

This time of year is always difficult for me. My accident was July 22,1997 and with every anniversary the frame of mind that screams "I can't believe this is my life" sets in. I look at the situation around me and try to find something that's not modifyed, adapted, converted, accessorized or otherwise changed due to being quadriplegic and think "See, that's still the same as before". With each year that passes less and less is "the same" and memories of physical sensation or movement pass. Like what it feels like to put new sneakers on, to roll on the grass with your dog, or what seemed to start this latest rant off, picturing the fingering on the guitar of all the songs I used to play.

Normally, I can "see" my fingers on the neck when I hear familiar tunes or even new songs. But lately that's been hard to do and not being able to just grab the guitar and go "Now I remember, got it" has been a tremendous drag. Not only that a couple weeks ago I had a visit from the big unrequited love of my life. The one who when I first heard songs like "Ain't So Easy" and "Being Alone Together" I thought to myself "Jesus, this guy's writing songs for me!!!" We had a gloriously exciting but quickly halted relationship that evolved into a mutual friendship. We've only seen each other 2 or 3 times since I've been in the chair, and it's wonderful to see that she's evolved into the wonderfully talented artist/painter I knew she'd become, it's devastatingly hard wondering if I hadn't got hurt maybe we'd give it another shot. You know the starving artist and struggling musician scenario.

Again, thank you for your support and friendship it would make the big DBIS convention that much better to meet and thank each of you in person, just make sure the goddamn hotel is wheelchair accessible. And to David, the words and music over the years help more than than you know!!!

Kyle