Who the f*** is that????

Yeah, it's ME! First impressions are IMPORTANT (so please take a few moments to let me know the impression you get when you look into my eyes), as they will form the foundation from which people tend to judge all further information concerning the individual... Now once again, WHO AM I? The name on my birth certificate identifies the ink blot feet print on the page as one ERIC LEE BELL. This name was given to me by the most amazing woman in my LIFE (her name is LINDA which means "beautiful" in Spanish & "to guard" in Swahili - very fitting indeed). Unfortunately my name has been defiled, defamed & thus rendered dishonored by this diabolical machine known as the American (In)Justice System... Being a man of honor, please allow me to make a necessary CONFESSION to you: I AM NOT INNOCENT. (Surprised?) Now let me elaborate - "INNOCENCE" implies a purity of VIRTUE that has never been defiled (do you agree?). I HAVE stained the purity of my essence w/ reproachable actions that justified the negative repercussions that I had willingly accepted as my due (some people call this SIN). Now let me ask you - "Are YOU 'innocent'?" You may wonder why this is relevant? Well, I must make certain that we begin this journey on the proper footing & from the proper perspective. Effective communication diminishes the potential of confusion resulting from a lack of "DISCLOSURE" (sound like something out of a textbook?). This whole "blogging" thing is new to me & I feel that it is necessary to develop at least some level of TRUST from the outset (whaaat?). In my experience TRUST is established by being OPEN, HONEST & FORTHCOMING (w/ the TRUTH) (right or wrong?). So, allow me to make ANOTHER confession to you: I am NOT GUILTY of the crimes I have been CONVICTED of (oh, brother, here we go again... not another one of these!). Whether you actually believe this or not means very little when measured up to the TRUTH of my situation. Consider this - to commit a crime by statute requires INTENT. So let me ask you this - how does a man manage to RAPE his FIANCEE who goes on to marry him AFTER he is charged w/ the crime by HER? Some crazy stuff, huh? And all very TRUE. Welcome to my struggle. I only want to reach out to the people who are NOT preconditioned to believe everything as it appears on the SURFACE. My struggle for the last 7 1/2 years has been to come to terms w/ my situation while endeavoring to set the record STRAIGHT. Who I AM is a reflection of this struggle. Stick w/ me, it gets better... I admire you for your COURAGE just to be reading these words from a PRISONER. I hope that in some way the vitality of my spirit & the GENUINENESS of my character is able to reach out & touch you through this medium. (Feel me?) Fortunately this system has an APPEAL process which allows a HIGHER COURT to correct an ERRONEOUS JUDGEMENT from a LOWER COURT. I have already received a JUDGEMENT from a HIGHER COURT in my favor & it is only a matter of "judicial formality" before my case is completely overturned. Quick to take, slow to give... I promise not to bore you by beating a dead horse (what a serious waste of time). But as you will see, this experience has turned me into a FEARLESS REBEL & FURIOUS WARRIOR. A man stripped of his life & forced to carry the yoke of an INJUSTICE has NOTHING TO LOSE. But yet another side of me has become more compassionate & sympathetic for the poor & inflicted; the abandoned & lonely; the slave & oppressed from all walks of life. So please don't turn away & think you've got me all figured out. This is only the beginning... Go ahead - SAY SOMETHING!

Who are we but beautiful souls drifting through the universe seeking PEACE & UNDERSTANDING?

Who are we but animated creatures sharing the same basic instincts & searching for creative ways to express THAT WHICH CAN NOT BE EXPLAINED?

Who are you beneath the layers of vanity that you hope in vain disguises the TRUE NATURE OF YOUR BEING?

Who are you not to realize that this old EYE of mine seeks that which is GOOD & TRUE DEEP WITHIN YOU?

Who am I but a familiar stranger of old & new seeking to build upon that which we have ALREADY LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR?

Who am I but a VIBRATION that has discovered a way of projecting myself through TIME & SPACE because TIME & SPACE NEVER REALLY EXISTED. (Say what?)

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS :D

[drawing of a one-cent coin]

As I am, me