The Manrilla Blog | Life. Art. Religion. Culture.

I just got in from spending my last night in Madison - again. It’s weird since this’ll be the second time I’ve left Madison. I won’t take a lot of time right now to reflect on what Madison’s meant to me, if anything. Rather, it’s the people here that I leave behind that mean something. Julia, Pete, Nick, Käri, Ladwig, Michael. Adem, Aaron, Leah, Sarah, JW. And in a way, Charles, although you’re still in Europe. I would also like to say thank you to Michael Moore. Though I am still wounded by what happened between us I do thank you for supporting me, helping and giving me shelter when I needed it. Perhaps we can patch that bumpy road some day.

JW: you are a brutha’s brother. A real soldier in this game. Many thanks to you for being such a true and honest friend. I hope I can repay you some day.

Pete: What can I say? I could not have a better friend. I could not have a closer brother without having the same mother. It’s not the end, as you say, just another chapter in this long book (who in the hell’s writing this shit, anyway? Ha!!). B-good man. We’ll reconnect again in the flesh for sure.

Nick: We have a lot in common now!! Thanks for being a good sounding board. You know I’m the 800lbs. gorilla in your corner when you need it. Keep on the Rumi and keep yo’ weight up!

Julia: You are the most precious object in this universe. I would walk through fire and ice if you asked me to. I’d even pay one of those damned parking tickets! No, really. You have proven to be the finest quality in a friend I could have. I don’t know how I’ve gotten to be so lucky to have you in my life. We’ll talk more later.

Ladwig: You have a gift. Continue to use it. That’s all I can say!

Käri: You have now been officially inducted into the Secret Society of the 28th (ssshhh…..). Thanks for sharing. Thanks for being. I know we’ll be in touch. Let me know if there’s anything I can ever do for you.

Aaron: You’re one sexy bastard. Yeah, that’s it.

Adem: I know I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: “…you’ll realize just as I did. There’s a difference between knowing the path, and walking the path.” B-real. B-good.

Sarah: Thanks for the time. Thanks for the love. You gave me something very, very special at just the right time. You provided me some nurtuting when I really needed to be held up for a bit. I hope I can do for you sometime what you’ve done for me. Keep creating and keep raising that bar. Keep in touch. You’ll always have my affection.

Leah: We just met but we had fun. Star Wars!! I get to say I went to see Star Wars with Princess Leah. How cool is that? I promise to visit when/if I come back. You’re welcome in Philly (you all are).

My apologies for anyone I left out. It’s not that I haven’t thought of you. You’r all super folks. This town’s too small for good people like ya’ll but I made out the better for it. Please keep in touch and write me often. Yours truly,

Marqas…