I am fully aware that the brotherhood is not a regional thing, but I find inner-peace knowing that there is a pacific nw base for such a needed support base. It is perhaps most important that people know that they are not alone and among those who relate but for me, there is an added element in my fondness of the brotherhood due to geographic location. Let me explain...

In 2004 I left Chicago and a steady diet of Cooter.

I have lived in Portland, Oregon now for almost 4 years and I have been pacific nw free of cooter; BUT, when I return home to my motherland, cooter has a way of finding me. In 4 years, I've only indulged in cooter several times, but each in Chicago while on vacation.

In Portland, no matter how hard I tried to find some cooter, it just hasn't happened; needless to say, I got discouraged, I started wondering what was wrong with me, I wondered what the hell was wrong with the women of the Pacific NW, I started to lose self-esteem, I started to hate Portland, and I've often entertained thoughts of returning to Chicago just so I'd get some cooter back in my life.

Then came M.O.N.C. and made me feel better about myself; that made me realize I was not alone - and that maybe it was symptomatic of my place in the world. I don't blame geography; I don't hate the pacific northwest (in fact I love it); I've just had to make an adjustment, a commitment, to loving life as a man on no cooter.

However, my fear is that when I return to Chicago this summer, that there will be eager beavers and hungry cooters waiting for me. Am I allowed to cheat since I would be in different time zones? Can't I have "a ho in a different area code"? - or do I need to further commit myself or leave the brotherhood forever for my failures? I need the support in day to day life in Portland, but a return home is inevitable in the months to come.

BRANDON
pdx, or