I spent the past two days painting the room of a nine-year-old girl. Three coats of three different colors went all over eight walls, covered previously with flowers and nursery rhyme verses.

An open window at either end of the L-shaped two-room complex allowed for a pleasant Missouri October breeze. I caught bits and pieces of the Chiefs game yesterday on a modest 14-inch flat screen television set.

I even made it out for a simple five-round “thump and roll” with two of my closest training partners, Todd Brooker and AJ Fronce. I believe I have mentioned their names in previous entries, so if you are one of the three loyal followers, I thank you for your attention.

Throughout my diligent work today I surfed between the respective information outlets. It came to my observative attention after listening to the world’s problems for most of a day, that the same problems are plaguing every community in the world.

How is it that groups of people whom are trusted by their employers to do diligent work run the programs? That doesn’t seem to make any sense to me, but what do I know? I’m a city-fied hillbilly whose been hit in the head a few too many times and drinks whisky straight because he can’t taste anything else.

However punchy I may appear to the slow-witted observer, even I know that certain rules never change and progress isn’t always good. I read about it in one of the only books I have ever taken the time to finish.

I wouldn’t testify to remembering all of the verses, but I remember that it was a book of stories about positive thinking, honest, humble and imperfect people. Some made good decisions and some bad. Some of those people even sinned, and they were forgiven by their neighbors.

I would not testify to knowing all of the characters’ names either, but I remember that despite their community standing, they all experienced life’s realities at some point.

What an amazing world that would be to live in. Imagine it: People are walking around being honest with their neighbors about the realities of their lives, positives and negatives, gains and losses, friends and enemies, likes and dislikes, phobias and isms, memberships, and whatever else might cross their lips.

Hell, if you wanted you could be silent for all your days! No one would think any different of ya. And if they did, then you wouldn’t even notice. They barely talk about it in American schools anymore, but it’s called FREEDOM.

Americans have lived under socialism, or some form of it, for the past three generations. Seventy percent of the people I meet in the city tell me that they are liberal. As long as it’s honest, you can call it whatever you like. Just stop trying to make progress on behalf of civilization.

I’ll check my guns at God’s door, not at yours. No I don’t own one, nor do I hunt, but I’m all for it if that’s what you dig.

I have spent the last two years of my life learning to escape danger from any possible position. I have failed on several attempts, but I made an honest attempt on every shift. Damn, it’s been fun! I cannot wait to find out what the world has for me next. I do know that I live for projects. I use them to keep me busy during life’s cycles.

On Friday a little girl will come home to a newly painted room. I’m proud to say that I contributed to her joy.

-Brian Imes

The Human Cockfighter

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