It’s
been an interesting few months. I’ve received letters from readers
ranging from multi-page diatribes to essays titled “Why Men Don’t Have
Friends and Why Women Should Care.” While I’d love to share them all
with you, I’ve selected some of the finer excerpts from the freaky and
frustrated fans out there. (All letters have been edited for brevity.)
Today
I took a short trip. I accompanied my wife for a follow-up appointment
from surgery. While I waited I noticed a paperback magazine laying on a
table in the waiting room. The young lady pictured on the front of this
magazine was very pretty. I wasn’t at all interested in reading this
magazine, however I wanted to see more pictures of that girl. As I went
through this magazine I noticed a story you wrote called “Saints and Sinners” [3.11.08].
One of the subjects you wrote about was Hell. I can’t say that I have
experienced Hell myself, however I do know it exists. I must tell you
that I do not want anything from you but a small portion of your time.
I write this email to you with the purest of intentions. For now visit
this site, www.spiritlessons.com. Peace be with you and may God bless you.
Sweet Jesus
Dear Sweet Jesus,
I had to include this message to share the
amazing information available on your Web site to help rid us of our
evil, sexual thoughts. I was particularly moved by your powerful video
called “Hell is Real, I Know, I Went There!”, the book “Heaven is So
Real!”, and the 11 free Christian posters — “uncopyrighted and full of
scripture.” I might be a snatch-eating weirdo who goes on the
occasional stripper binge, but you people really need to be caged. Rot
in Hell for thinking a model was pretty.
I have been
wondering if you could help me with this issue that I have been facing
for almost 10 years now. My life completely changed at the age of 22,
just after I graduated college. I suffered a hemorrhagic brainstem
stroke that left me with physical disabilities. I have difficulty
walking and with fine motor skills. I am again on my feet and not in a
wheelchair, but still face a difficult life and many challenges
socially. I am a young man about six feet, with dark hair and brown
eyes, athletic shape, about 180. I would like to meet a nice young lady
who wants to be more than just a friend. I was not born with a
disability and I am not like everyone else because I do have physical
impairments, which has left me in the middle. It would be ideal if I
could meet a young lady who became disabled due to surgery, illness, or
accident. Maybe you have suggestions about how I can have a better
social life, date again, and meet someone who understands my situation.
Disabled Dude
Dear Disabled Dude,
You break my
damn heart every time you send me one of these letters, and I apologize
for not responding sooner or more appropriately to any of them. But I
thought perhaps rather than giving you some false wisdom about all
that’s out there for you, I’d throw this one out to readers and see if
anyone has a mate in mind for you. If there’s a woman out there who
wants to meet this persistent, confident, available guy, I would be
happy to play matchmaker. Drop me a line.
I enjoyed reading your article in Stuff@night called “Disappearing Acts” [6.17.08].
As a heterosexual female, I can assure you that male and female couples
face the very same issues. Once you like someone or become involved
with someone, nine times out of 10, that person seems to encompass your
life. You make a valid point that once you disappear from the social
scene, the longer you are away and the older you get, the harder it is
to break back in. But maybe it was worth it for the experience, either
good or bad. Like that saying goes, “Better to have loved and lost than
never to have loved at all.” It sounds like you were very hurt by that
relationship that encouraged you to uproot your life. That can be
damaging to anyone, but I hope it doesn’t hurt your own quest to find
true love.
Hopeful HeteroDear Hopeful Hetero,
Last
night my friend said to me, “Hey, remember the time your girlfriend
OD’d and lost her faculties in my front seat?” The crowd erupted in
laughter. Yeah. “Damaging” is probably an understatement if we’re
chronicling the effects of my past relationships. So while I appreciate
your supportive adage about love, I tend to rely instead on the
inspirational words of Mr. James Brown: “Can we hit it and quit?”
Me,
I’m a hetero guy! I am so attracted to women but it is practically
useless, as I can’t seem to get the one that I want. The way most women
act around these parts, they are about as interested in sex as a
liberal from Cambridge is in voting for another George Bush! Albeit, if
I was super rich and sucked up to them in ways that pedestalize them,
they’d probably give it up. But until that happens, a normal guy is
just another alsoran! I actually welcome the day that the Viagra train
pulls up at my back door so I won’t have that hard, wet feeling in my
pants.
Mr. Hard and WetDear Mr. Hard and Wet,
I know
plenty of women in these parts who are very interested in sex. They’re
just not interested in sex with you. I am so sick of men talking about
Boston women as if we’re vapid, moneygrubbing whores. Last time I
checked, it was the 21st century and some of us actually had degrees
and jobs. So when that Viagra train does pull up at your door, rest
assured that you’ll have all the time in the world to keep fucking
yourself.
Jeannie Greeley is a freelance writer who really
wants to find Disabled Dude a nice woman, even if she can’t find one
for herself. Send your letters to jeannieg@comcast.net.