I live in one of the worst places in the United States - Ohio. I don't know what it is about where I live - but throughout my entire life - I've only had what I consider a REAL friend maybe 2-3 times, lasting at the longest 4 or 5 years. Part of it is there is basically no middle class here anymore, there are very Rich People and very poor people. There are a large number of Homeless People for the size of the City.
The younger generation is much more leaning Democratic and Liberal - but the State is Controlled by Republicans and Old People. The city is basically a huge ghetto with pockets around each side of the city that are very rich and being re-built and re-developed. The city is pushing people out of areas that used to be the ghetto, remodeling the buildings, and making them into Art Boutiques and High End Eateries. People here like to think they live in the New York / San Francisco of the Midwest. There is a very large Gay Community - which I have absolutely no problem with - but there is also still a LOT of underlying Homophobia, which makes it nearly impossible to start up a conversation with anyone other than a Female, because if you try and talk to another Male that looks or seems like someone that may be along the same wavelength as you - they think your Gay and trying to hit on them.
There is a large College - which is where a majority of the money in the city is generated from. If you're not into Football, you won't have common ground with a majority of the society here. People just have an arrogance about them - on top of that, there is an ENORMOUS Heroin, Methamphetamine, and Pain Pill scene. The Music scene is awful - it's either Jam Band Grateful Dead cover bands - or new school stupid bullshit radio rap like Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz. You can carry a concealed weapon into a Bar. When there is good Music to go out and see - 80-90% of the time, the crowd does not dance, does not move, and stands around the exterior areas of the venue, trying to look cool, chatting amongst each other - because being cool is not even acknowledging that the band, or artist that you paid to go and see is even playing. Don't get me wrong, I've seen some amazing shows here - but it honestly seemed like I was the only one having any fun.
I wish that I could move, but I haven't been able to find/hold a consistent job in over 5 years. I've been homeless off and on since I was 24 - I'm 30 now. Basically - the city is cliquey as FUCK, and if you aren't part of some crew, group, or genre - you don't have a place. The saddest thing is - there is a decent scene for some of the things I love - the only problem is, the people that are into what I like are fucking pretentious assholes. There is an enormous Party Scene, but it's either Jocks, Hippies or Hipsters - and everyone segregates themselves from one another.
I don't know - I just don't fit in with anyone here. I literally spend everyday just downloading music, listening to music - trying to learn about new and interesting things like Science, Chemistry, Music Theory - watching Documentaries about Interesting People and Topics. I go on long walks by myself through the city late at night by myself, or bike rides if I feel so inclined. I know this all really has nothing to do with this thread, but maybe in a way it does.
All of things that I just mentioned are why I appreciate MXE so much - it helps me not feel so alone, it helps me deal with the fact that all of the effort I've put into trying to make something out of my life and trying to be the best person that I can be just hasn't worked. I've just been an outsider and a Loner for so long, that people just see it in my eyes. I don't dress weird, have crazy tattoos or piercing - I'm just a normal, average looking guy, and I dress as such. The thing is about all of this - I'm not necessarily bothered by the fact that I have no friends. Every time I let someone into my life, male or female, they just try and see what they can get out of me. I've been robbed multiple times, been stopped and questioned by Police for riding my bike on a Sidewalk, been beat the fuck up and tazered by the Police for absolutely no reason................I could go on, but I won't. I just hope that people on here that may recognize my postings from time to time may have a better understanding of why I may seem crazy sometimes. I've just never learned Social Skills to an extent, and not in a way that I'm loud and obnoxious, or always say some weird out of line shit....I'm just quiet generally, soft spoken. I feel like I'm more just an observer of the Human Experience than actually taking part in it, and honestly, the way people act and live here - I don't want any part in.
So I just trip, and trip and trip. To be honest, I think I'm probably permanently tripping at this point. I've literally spent at least 3-4 years of my life on hallucinogenic or psychedelic compounds - mainly dissociatives, with tons of LSD, DMT, Mushrooms - although I don't care for them anymore, and occasional MDMA..........I don't know. I just don't really have a place in Society - and to a large extent, the way people act makes me not really want to be a part of the way Society currently is. I see so much Wealth and Waste on a daily basis - right next to dire extremes of poverty, homelessness, just people being forgotten and left behind by society because of an Economical Difference. It just disgusts me and makes me sad - so I just keep to Myself and try and work on who I am as a Human Being so that one day, when I meet the right people or person and find a place where I fit in - I'll be the best version of who I can be, and I'll be appreciated for that. If that never happens, so be it. At least I didn't take part in the Disgusting train wreck that is the Population where I live, and at the same time - I'll always keep fighting, trying to find a way to get out of this city, but for now - this is me, this is my life.