A note about this space.

For clarity and to set the reader at ease, I'll now make some observations that doubtless any longtime reader has already made.

Recently, my blog has gained noteriety with an additional portion of the population of my real-life who are not nearly as familiar with my quirks as the ones who have known about All-is-Well for some time.

So this is an attempt to allay the likely concerns about my moral fiber, mental stability, and humanity that reading this blog is bound to raise. As such, it is targeted primarily at the readership of this blog that have met me in the real world. If you have stumbled across this blog without any connection to me whatsoever, feel free to skip pretty much all of the following.

First, I consider a good portion of my work either fiction, or extension. In this category posts like Inhabited, and the Dock are the most obvious examples, but there are others. I'll let you discover them. These writings concern experiences I either created in full inside my head, as works of fiction, or simple extensions of experiences I have undergone, extended to rational conclusions that I have not myself traveled. Do not be frightened overmuch that these entries tend to be dark, vague, or disturbing. I write them because they allow me to be less dark, vague and disturbing in person.

Second, much of my remaining work is Melodramatization. Read any random sample of my work and you will see it dozens of times. I take my current situation and write in more extreme details, modify little feelings or reactions and contemplations to make them more severe, and play upon the drama and fantastic in my life while downplaying the rudimentary and calm. Since I'm going through a period of melancholy right now, this means that the diary often reeks of depression or expressed frustration. This is merely the highlighting of those common feelings we all share as a race.

Third, never feel that I've targeted you personally unless I've spelled it out clearly, as in I didn't like it, or the introduction to On People and Faith. I write about my life in general, an exchange with you may have sparked my writing, but it may also have been a dozen other things, ranging from the drive home, to a song, to another conversation with another person. Don't feel I'm singling you out. If you do, please feel free to write me and say so. I'm happy to express my self in this space, but if you ever feel you're being insulted or degraded here, tell me and I'll do my best to remedy that feeling while maintaining the integrity of my writing.

Fourth, I use this as a soapbox often. Normally when I rant to humanity in general about things I think it should do, I'll use the [soapbox] tag. Even if I don't, get used to it. It's my writing space and you're just going to have to deal.

Fifth, I use a lot of sarcasm. If you ever wonder about my motivations and find one explanation that uses sarcasm to cutting effect, and another where I'm just being mean and spiteful, assume sarcasm first.

Sixth, If you know me in real life, feel free to share the link as much as you want, but know that I'd rather each person found me on their own. I haven't published this space overmuch (one or two people, yes, but not many) because I'd like it to be a personal discovery for each new visitor. If you want to give them a hint, tell them to google "humanity overload." AiW is the first result.

Last, don't believe everything you read, or take anything I write too seriously. This is just a blog, and sometimes it's best to stop and think. Sometimes I write things that are just plain misleading like My New Love, so don't jump to conclusions.

Thanks for your patience.

All-is-Well.