"I just dont know what it's leading up to. I get the feeling that is the point."

This letter is very important to me, it is the restarting of a correspondence. After restarting the project I immediately had to respond to the last letter sent by this person (I actually dug up a letter that a started for them and sent that as well as a new appologetic letter). As a warning, I am a mediocre correspondence, but if you would like to communicate through letters, I can see what I can do.
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5/26/09
My Dearest Friend Patrick Gill,


Your letter came to me at precisely the best time I could have received it. You see, last night I was in one of my restless moods. There was only one person I felt I could talk to at that moment, but since he didn't respond to my text, (it was the middle of the night, his phone was on silent), I went for a mid-night walk. Well, my discontent didn't really ever leave and it flooded over to this morning where I went to my statistics class (I'm really not fond of math) feeling already like shit. After class I checked my mail and lo and behold I got your letter(s) and postcard. Now I am writing to you on the bus on my way to work.
Needless to say, the past 2 months I've spent high off of relationships. In this time I have made some really good friends. Ones that for once in my life share a lot of similarities with me- the deepest inner core of myself. It's so great, it's almost like a dream of sorts. I guess that for the past 2 months that is how I've been getting by in life- by building really good friendships. At least that has been my focus. But last night I was coming down from that high- well, more like crashing. It was inevitable, but it still hurt. One of my good friends that I've made as of late actually shares the same name as you. It seems that, in my experience, Patrick's are really good people.
I haven't been doing any art lately. I really want to, but I don't have the time. What I have been doing, though, when I'm not hanging around with friends, is listening to a lot of Elliot Smith. Well him and Bob Dylan. It's funny how music that seems to fit my mood the best comes in waves of sorts. I've been writing a lot more. I have a blog now. You should check it out, the url is on my Facebook page. Do you ever feel like your life is just leading up to one moment? I feel like that sometimes. Actually, increasingly so, I just don't know what it's leading up to. I get the feeling that is the point.
Anyways, my dear friend, I hope you are well. I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks for the money for India! I'll be sure to tell you all about it!

Love,
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"i did a sick, sick thing to my love."

Attention Attention! I have received my first letter via text message....
I would like to say that this is ok, but I want people to know one of the main reasons I started this project was to get people to write things out, to take time and what seems like more effort. I am a sucker for letters, and I feel there is a greater sense of introspection when someone writes me a letter and feels strong enough to mail it to me. All things considered, this person who texted me a letter will still have their voice be heard. I am open to multiple forms of receiving communication.
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dear wise old man,
this may be your first letter via text message. i hope it is. i ran into -------- ------ at a passion pit concert last night (or rather earlier this morning). we had a lengthy conversation outside after. id like you to respond before i send more so that i can be sure this letter is reaching you

[ME:]

more then? i was on aderall, which has similarities to ecstasy when used recreationally by those who are not a.d.d. the person i am now is not the person i was 3 years ago. she will always be the same person i think. she nearly cried while we were talking multiple times. i told her things that had happened to me after we broke up. the drugs, violence, dishonesty, theft, everything. its was harder telling those events to her then it was to my own dad.

[ME:]

she might still be living in the past. wishing that things hadnt changed. her pain is deep and she still hasnt forgiving me for actions that took place nearly a year ago. the little boy she loved and shared 2 years of her life with is gone, and he'll never be back.

i just hope she realizes this is for her own good eventually.


"i did a sick, sick thing to my love. i spread my misery and swallowed her up. and she got me high, and i hardly noticed there were tears in her eyes"

best wishes,

------ -------- -----



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"Once a toaster can ask "why?" Its not going to want to toast your bread."

This is the first letter I have received in a few months, and though it does not entirely answer the prompt, I must post it and let the world see it and think what they may.


May 1/ 2009

Dear Patrick,

So last night I couldn't sleep. So instead I accidentally came to a whole lot of revelations. Some were about, like, uh, I don't know The future and shit. And who I really am as a person. But I got bored and watched tv instead. There was this commercial for a blanket. It was a blanket, are you ready? With a brain! Cue the dramatic music. Why is it that people think you can add "with a brain" to anything and it makes it cooler. Because it doesn't. It just makes me a little paranoid. Like maybe the blankets with think of ways to communicate. And of course they'll be pissed. You can't just stick a brain in something and expect it to be all cool about it. Once a toaster can ask "why?" Its not going to want to toast your bread. Its going to want to like, I dunno, mope and shit. Maybe a little world domination here and there. If its and evil toaster. Or travel great distances with a vacuum, a radio, a lamp, and a blanket. A blanket with a brain.

Hmmm. I guess that wasn't really a letter so much as a rambling about a tv commercial I saw. This is why I shouldn't drink energy drinks. During my second rockstar I didn't even drink it out of the can. I just poured it all over myself. When it seeps in it gives you a high like being on meth. This it proven.

I should go. Otherwise I'll start babbling about my dogs foot fetish.

I hope this letter finds you well.

Sincerely
(and with a big hug)

--------------------

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as a footnote: I wish the revelations this person came to were said, but all I can post to you is what's written. I can say that this is a cautionary letter on a few levels.

GET THE WORD OUT!!!

I would like to start receiving submissions again, so please send your letters to:

Patrick James Gill
1930 W School Street
Chicago IL, 60657

remember the prompt

How do you survive
tell it through art, story, observation, anything that can be mailed.

I love you all
Patrick