Bloodlines

They say blood is thicker than water. On a compound basis...well, no shit. But in the philosophical sense, I'm not sure I agree. Cry me a fucking river. I just found out that I'm an aunt. Yep, I have two half brothers, and apparently one just became a dad at the ripe old age of 27 (or maybe 28?). He almost became a dad at 16, but lucked out with a false alarm. Maybe sex ed isn't taught in much detail up there in the skirts of WA. Someone should learn to keep his stallion in the corral if you know what I mean. Hell, I don't even know what I mean.

Anyway, it makes me sad sometimes that I have these two brothers that I never bonded with and that I met for the first time when I was 16. I liked the youngest, who was about the age of 11. He talked with such enthusiasm about bugs and firecrackers, and boyish pranks. The slightly older one was already in puberty-asshole mode at 15. Believe me, I tried to relate and stay in touch after my dad and I stopped talking (now, there's some unconscious emotional baggage for ya!), but to be honest, I just never liked him much. His ego has no bounds (hey-this is my fucking blog so I'm entitled to be egocentric mind you) and talks endlessly about how knowledgeable and brilliant he is about life, politics, world affairs, or pretty much anything. But guess what? He's a bum. He barely works, had a semi-junkie girlfriend for a while, never attained anything professionally or academically, and only thinks to contact family when he wants something. I don't judge people if they haven't finished school or don't have a high paying job. Some of the most intelligent and talented people I know never got a degree or made more than $20k in a year. But, they have ambition for something. Weather they have creative talent or are just eager to live and experience life, I hold that in higher regard than someone who blows hot air out of their ass.
I have a cousin who got by in life on his looks, but is pretty much a disgusting excuse for a human being. Yet, certain family members continue to support him and protect him even when he cheats other family members, lies, steals or whatever drama. Sure people make mistakes and I get the whole family loyalty thing, but I've had friends in life who constituted what the real meaning of "family" should be as opposed to someone I just share some DNA make-up with. People can change. I really hope this new life inspires my brother to better his.

This blog is full of cliche's, but look closely. Behind every cliche lies a lesson, and you are never too old to learn.