So sorry to hear that you were not protected at all after your assault and sorry you had to go though that. How telling that you remember the other inmates in your cell showing you the most compassion that day. I’ve been thinking so much about college and how it is “trial” adulthood. Most of my friends (so sad to type this out) have been sexually assaulted in college. Why didn’t we have any support?
After I got divorced I went on a date with a very hot coke addict (lol) to a gun range. Wow. I totally understand that feeling of power. The smell, the sounds, the weight fo the gun. I was proud of myself for trying it. But I still hate them and wish they were eradicated from this earth.
Fuck those bastards. All of them. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that everyone is traumatized in one way or another, and we're never going to get anywhere without acknowledging and dealing with this Goddamn fact. Everything is else is merely a handsome facade. Not buyin' it...
So much to unpack in this post. Great writing as always & brave storytelling! Re guns & politics -- I think the key here in our region is to accept & respect the hunters & ranchers for whom guns are a way of life. The key is regulation. I have a friend in Ouray who's ex-military and an avid hunter, and I wish he would run for public office (I've been trying to get him to) because he's a reasonable moderate, pro-gun-control, who can relate to the gun-loving folks. We need more people like him to help bridge our state's divides in this time of polarization. As for Boebert, she was elected in large part because the Dem candidate was really lame and wonky and could not talk to the disenfranchised Trumpers. I have changed my affiliation from Democrat to Independent so I will be able to vote for Boebert's Republican opponent in the primary. That's the only way to get rid of her -- to float a better Republican candidate. Sad but true. She is truly awful, the spawn of Sarah Palin. Hang in there and keep writing!
Well…I can’t say that I agree with your stance on guns. I do enjoy your musings about the mountain life. I’m a Deep South red neck who loves bohemian ideals (as long as they are not conflated with illogical leftist mantras). I’m tolerant, a libertarian. I have room to enjoy who you are, without changing who I am. And I really enjoy your writings, even if we are in different camps concerning 2A. Keep up the good work.
(Btw…I’m married to a pink haired licensed counselor. I married way up for a southern boy. Keep doing the hard work with your therapist, because sometimes, hard leads to good)
Valuable story, thanks. I haven't lived a story just like this - different passes, different states, different choices. Although high altitude Colorado was among the passes we moved through it wasn't our current home. I also fought cops and reaped the consequences. I emerged black and blue but wiser. I don't own any guns and may not. I try to get up everyday before the dawn and endeavor to keep writing as if my hair is on fire. It remains a useful metaphor. Cheers!
Kelton, I’m so sorry you had to live through that experience of assault and all that came with it. Thank you for your willingness to share, and for doing so vulnerably and beautifully. Sending you lots of love 🧡
I'm so sorry about your experience of assault, and then the further trauma of being made to feel like you'd done wrong.
I'm so pleased you've found therapy and bikes. Long may your healing continue!
In the UK, people are allowed guns to hunt with, provided they get a certificate.
A certificate lasts 5 years, and they have to provide ID, get up to two references to prove they're trustworthy, and convince the chief police officer they're trustworthy.
We haven't had a school shooting since Dunblane in 1994, when these regulations were brought in, but everyone who wants to hunt (and isn't a danger to themselves or others) can hunt.
It *seems* like a simple solution, but I understand there's a deep-rooted culture in the US regarding guns, and it's such a political hot potato.
I do still find it astounding that any individual could value their right to own guns over the rights of children to live though!
I hope there's some way of introducing some regulation for you guys which can keep people safe, and I'm so sorry these shootings keep happening.
This really is an incredible article. And a clever way to bring the idea full circle. From your perspective of people with signs, to your own signs and tattoos.
On of my personal values is to always do my best to be around people who don’t think like me. After all, I was once someone who didn’t think like me, and conversation with someone I didn’t judge by their cover resulted in a change in my views.
I haven’t removed my tattoos but I have removed the wool from my eyes.
Guns are a touchy subject. I have mixed emotions about them. But then viewing and studying the person(s) behind the trigger gives better context to my constantly changing opinion on gun control. The hunter, the marksman, the soldier, the mentally deranged, the collector, those who feel a level of comfort having them for protection... I fall into a category of being unable to take a stance in any direction.
It sickens me you had to go through the assault and what it did to you. Therapy and bike riding sound like a start for healing. Have you thought about swimming? Lap swimming and being in water has helped me through trauma (nothing as terrifying as yours), but there is something about immersing in warm water and imagining being back in the womb... anyway great read as always, thank you.
Poignant and timely and so well written. Love your voice and the thought provoking positions of this piece. You work hard in life and writing.......and it shows!
Thank you for this.... for the road less taken, the sharing of your vulnerability, your strength to overcome, and your ability to see many sides.... I too am a victim and have overcome... and it is still a struggle... but, like you, with help, I am much more aware of my triggers... my vulnerability feels like more of a strength these days
So sorry to hear that you were not protected at all after your assault and sorry you had to go though that. How telling that you remember the other inmates in your cell showing you the most compassion that day. I’ve been thinking so much about college and how it is “trial” adulthood. Most of my friends (so sad to type this out) have been sexually assaulted in college. Why didn’t we have any support?
After I got divorced I went on a date with a very hot coke addict (lol) to a gun range. Wow. I totally understand that feeling of power. The smell, the sounds, the weight fo the gun. I was proud of myself for trying it. But I still hate them and wish they were eradicated from this earth.
Fuck those bastards. All of them. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that everyone is traumatized in one way or another, and we're never going to get anywhere without acknowledging and dealing with this Goddamn fact. Everything is else is merely a handsome facade. Not buyin' it...
So much to unpack in this post. Great writing as always & brave storytelling! Re guns & politics -- I think the key here in our region is to accept & respect the hunters & ranchers for whom guns are a way of life. The key is regulation. I have a friend in Ouray who's ex-military and an avid hunter, and I wish he would run for public office (I've been trying to get him to) because he's a reasonable moderate, pro-gun-control, who can relate to the gun-loving folks. We need more people like him to help bridge our state's divides in this time of polarization. As for Boebert, she was elected in large part because the Dem candidate was really lame and wonky and could not talk to the disenfranchised Trumpers. I have changed my affiliation from Democrat to Independent so I will be able to vote for Boebert's Republican opponent in the primary. That's the only way to get rid of her -- to float a better Republican candidate. Sad but true. She is truly awful, the spawn of Sarah Palin. Hang in there and keep writing!
Well…I can’t say that I agree with your stance on guns. I do enjoy your musings about the mountain life. I’m a Deep South red neck who loves bohemian ideals (as long as they are not conflated with illogical leftist mantras). I’m tolerant, a libertarian. I have room to enjoy who you are, without changing who I am. And I really enjoy your writings, even if we are in different camps concerning 2A. Keep up the good work.
(Btw…I’m married to a pink haired licensed counselor. I married way up for a southern boy. Keep doing the hard work with your therapist, because sometimes, hard leads to good)
Powerful. Thank you.
Valuable story, thanks. I haven't lived a story just like this - different passes, different states, different choices. Although high altitude Colorado was among the passes we moved through it wasn't our current home. I also fought cops and reaped the consequences. I emerged black and blue but wiser. I don't own any guns and may not. I try to get up everyday before the dawn and endeavor to keep writing as if my hair is on fire. It remains a useful metaphor. Cheers!
Kelton, I’m so sorry you had to live through that experience of assault and all that came with it. Thank you for your willingness to share, and for doing so vulnerably and beautifully. Sending you lots of love 🧡
I'm so sorry about your experience of assault, and then the further trauma of being made to feel like you'd done wrong.
I'm so pleased you've found therapy and bikes. Long may your healing continue!
In the UK, people are allowed guns to hunt with, provided they get a certificate.
A certificate lasts 5 years, and they have to provide ID, get up to two references to prove they're trustworthy, and convince the chief police officer they're trustworthy.
We haven't had a school shooting since Dunblane in 1994, when these regulations were brought in, but everyone who wants to hunt (and isn't a danger to themselves or others) can hunt.
It *seems* like a simple solution, but I understand there's a deep-rooted culture in the US regarding guns, and it's such a political hot potato.
I do still find it astounding that any individual could value their right to own guns over the rights of children to live though!
I hope there's some way of introducing some regulation for you guys which can keep people safe, and I'm so sorry these shootings keep happening.
This really is an incredible article. And a clever way to bring the idea full circle. From your perspective of people with signs, to your own signs and tattoos.
On of my personal values is to always do my best to be around people who don’t think like me. After all, I was once someone who didn’t think like me, and conversation with someone I didn’t judge by their cover resulted in a change in my views.
I haven’t removed my tattoos but I have removed the wool from my eyes.
Guns are a touchy subject. I have mixed emotions about them. But then viewing and studying the person(s) behind the trigger gives better context to my constantly changing opinion on gun control. The hunter, the marksman, the soldier, the mentally deranged, the collector, those who feel a level of comfort having them for protection... I fall into a category of being unable to take a stance in any direction.
It sickens me you had to go through the assault and what it did to you. Therapy and bike riding sound like a start for healing. Have you thought about swimming? Lap swimming and being in water has helped me through trauma (nothing as terrifying as yours), but there is something about immersing in warm water and imagining being back in the womb... anyway great read as always, thank you.
Poignant and timely and so well written. Love your voice and the thought provoking positions of this piece. You work hard in life and writing.......and it shows!
Thank you for this.... for the road less taken, the sharing of your vulnerability, your strength to overcome, and your ability to see many sides.... I too am a victim and have overcome... and it is still a struggle... but, like you, with help, I am much more aware of my triggers... my vulnerability feels like more of a strength these days
So vivid and well written. I want to hug you and applaud you and cry with you.
Thank you for baring your soul and your thigh. I am with you. When that time comes, you can have my heirloom gun for the melting pot.