I've been getting messages and replies from actual friends over the last few days that I can basically summarize as, "what happened to you?"

Nothing. And everything. I'm the same guy I've been but maybe you didn't know me as well as you think. And maybe we're just not that close

Or maybe you just assumed I checked all the stereotypical boxes like you do and never paid very close attention to who I actually am.

But the pinned tweet on my profile is there for a reason. Because nothing I've ever seen summarizes who I am more definitely than that clip.

I suspect I won't be hearing much from some folks any more. I guess I'm ok with that.

I was raised by an incredibly thoughtful dad who moved in when I was five and chose to be my dad. And who refused to adopt me because he wouldn't remove my deceased father from my birth certificate.

But he was (and certainly is) a very thoughtful, intelligent and spiritual man who protested the Vietnam war and marched for civil rights

Do you think I turned that side of me off when I became a Republican? I think some of you did. But I'm not you. I'm me. And I refuse to be anything but me. And if that bothers you then I never mattered to you in the first place.

*end*