)O( Walking through the Void )O(

The month of June was full of darkness and lack.  I was terminated from my position as a teacher after giving 30 days notice that I would not be renewing my contract for the following year.  They fired me the next day, which is illegal.  They also refused to pay me the remainder of my salary, which is even more illegal.  I do not have the testicular fortitude to begin a lawsuit, but I did go ahead and find myself a much better job.  
I also got a brutal flu followed by a truly intense food poisoning experience.  I really shouldn't have eaten street cart food on a dark street after 9pm but what can I say, I'm very comfortable down here and forgot the rules.  Haha!  I will never forget again!  I took the illnesses and temporary lack of employment as a sign that it was time for me to hibernate and recharge.  It was dark, it was quiet, but it was also everything I needed.  
It has been more than 10 years since my beloved Deven crossed to the other side, but for some reason, this year has been one of the more emotionally charged ones in regards to our connection.  I and several of our close friends have been sensing Deven around us.  Our closest mutual even said she felt truly guided and protected by him through some recent harrowing experiences.  I've been crying about his absence, reminiscing about our amazingly colorful life together, and breathing through harsh recollections of the last year of his life.  
June was pride month, and it was a really shitty one in America.  Deven would be so fucking disappointed in how far we have fallen since he was last out on the streets with a sign and his pet rabbit on a leash.  All I can do is continue to be openly gay and openly an expat.  My life in Cambodia is direct action, and I intend to continue advancing the arts every single day that I am here.
My leg tattoo is finished.  It goes from my ankle to my hip, and I couldn't be any more delighted.  It represents walking in the fae realm beside Deven.  The clovers, shamrocks, and ivy will now spring with my every step.  The left side of my body is in fae, the right side of my body is upon the earth.  As a singular entity, I unite the worlds by the passion of my will and the depths of my love for my fae king.  May we be reunited with my body no longer has the strength to house my soul.  
I start Khmer lessons in July and I'm really excited to actually speak a bit of this mystical ancient language all around me.  I understand some things, I know a couple of useful phrases, and I can count to ten.  Let's improve!  Let's chat!  I can't wait to actually hang out with locals more.  I love Khmer culture.  I love Khmer food.  I love Khmer dance.  I love Khmer hiphop.  
Thanks for wandering this road with me.  Now that I have a new job and my health back, I'm looking forward to creating some fucking excellent art and music!  Stay tuned, you might get the first look at me playing the violin here in Cambodia!