I left a message in the comments at Gut Rumbles to a recent post where the commenters seemed to be discussing Rob's state of mind more than the actual contents of the post. I will admit that the contents of another recent post were very troubling, but there is a limit to what one human can do for another. My message to those concerned about Rob is:
I've been to the Black Pit of Despair, got the T-shirt, and scrabbled and crawled my way out again. I have the bloody scars to prove it.No one can truly understand another's pain, and I won't commit the egregious sin of speculating on Rob's state of mind. Those who do care about Rob should visit and see for themselves, but they should not visit without calling first.
"Interventions" are all well and good, but if it really is Rob posting, he knows where he is, and he knows why he is there. It is entirely up to him where he goes from here, and nothing that anyone says to him will really affect that decision. It's a nice illusion to think that people can throw a lifeline down into the Black Pit of Despair and help pull those lost souls out into the light, but that is all it is, an illusion. It is far too dark in the Pit to see any lifelines, and the only saving grace is a stubborn resolve to not let anything defeat you, but instead to fight the despair until your last breath.
I might have just fucked up...I thought Key slould, at least, check up on 'em. I've been thru this kind of stuff before. Maybe I'm wrong.
Am I ?
Posted by: Sam at January 28, 2004 09:11 PMDamned if I know...
Rob should have a friend to see him in person, if just to confirm he is indeed melting down as he seems to be. Unfortunately, I fear no one can help him climb out of whatever hell he may be in.
Posted by: Jack at January 28, 2004 10:02 PMHi Guys.
Jack, I wrote the second post that you linked. I thought that it would stand out due to the grammatical cohesion, and people would know that it was me.
But people are just now buying that the slurring nonsense is Rob. They thought THAT was the poser.
I understand that I'm stirring shit, but look at the big picture:
1. I'm reaching out; I'm being a bitch, but he knows that I care.
2. My posts and interaction are breaking up the nonsense, attracting input, and essentially keeping his blog alive until he gets it together.
One reader mentioned the threat of Jennifer reading the blog and putting it all together. That is a valid concern, and it worries me. (Although she has said in the past that she doesn't read his blog.)
I've spoken to him, begged, yelled, pleaded, cajoled, to no avail. He can barely carry on a conversation.
"Come on, man!" I said, "We are BOTH making asses of ourselves on your blog."
"You worry too much," he replied. "I can handle this. I'll call you in the morning."
"Call when you're sober." I said.
He didn't call.
Posted by: Key at January 29, 2004 11:15 AM