Greetings Earthlings ! A No Man’s Land introduction.

WELCOME TO THE NO MAN’S LAND REPORT !

First off, I just want to say I’m doing this because I love people. All people. Yes, even you reading this who I haven’t met yet. Sorry, if you’re blushing now, wasn’t my intent but please continue because you deserve it. Throughout my 1/4 of a century on this rock, I’ve had the pleasure to meet, listen to, befriend, observe and learn from all different kinds of people (Trust me, there’s been a variety; I’ve lived outside Chicago, middle of Amish Country Pennsylvania and currently Venice Beach. Quite the motley crew).

Understanding people is how I relate to the world. This has given me a certain appreciation for people- of all sorts. Doesn’t mean you always agree but it means you can put yourself in someone else’s shoes and try to understand how exactly someone is seeing a situation & what life experiences they could be bringing to the table. Then you allow them space, you engage, you listen and then learn. The trick is actually being interested.

We’re all so different and unique but at the same time so, so similar. It’s a fascinating paradox that I think we’ve unfortunately forgotten. And trust me- this coming from a gay millennial who is most often mistaken as a straight man or tree with legs as he plays basketball, in his adidas jumper while 90s dad rock plays in the background (things start to make a little more sense when you get off the rock playlist & start hearing the Marvin Gaye, Donna Summer, Etta James, 90’s J-Lo or some Joan Jett…haha). So trust me I know a few things about paradoxes. It can take awhile to realize it’s better to just go with the flow and do what makes you happy rather than trying to reconcile all your idiosyncrasies. After all, it all doesn’t have to add up. Trust me on that one.

Looking around the world in 2021, I feel a sadness for just how polarized we all are. The hate, the animosity, the tribalism is just running out of control. It’s counterproductive and frankly driving me crazy. It seems everyone has a team with their own narrative and that’s all that matters. Facts and principles have seemed to take a back seat.

I’m a free-thinker who values compassion, empathy and reason & believes strongly in science, civil liberties, human rights and our overall shared human experience.

I don’t have a team. I don’t want a team. I’m for team humans. I’m writing this blog because I hope there’s more people for team human out there than it appears or at the very least that I can recruit a few more along the way. We don’t always have to agree but I will always tell you what I’m thinking- unfiltered. I hope you will do the same. Authenticity is so important.

I’m most interested in current events, politics, history, health and mindfulness but I have a wandering mind- after all, new things are fun.

I look forward to taking this journey and I hope you’ll come along with me. Would love to hear what you’re all thinking- good, bad or ugly.

Maybe we can both make a little more sense out of this nutty, fucking world?

Cheers !

-B