Hello friends, let me first say that I am in good health and good spirits.

Upon arrival in the U.K. on thursday I was held by the Homo Office and questioned as I had not satisfied my Immigration officer at the gate with my answers as to why I was there, how long as I was staying, and most importantly how much money I had access to.

Whilst awaiting the next stage of my interrogation I saw Slash from guns-n-roses walk by and shouted at him, "Slash, Your my hero!" he looked at me, smiled, and continued on being Slash. This was to be the last fun thing that happened to me over the next 48 hrs.

I was taken to a processing room where my fingerprints, photo, and basic details were extracted from me. I was then searched, and deprived of all belongings, and sent to a room with plexi glass windows, stainless steel amenities, and chairs bolted to the floor where I was offered a small cup of tea and a cheese sandwich. I spent 2 hours anxiously awaiting the next step whilst watching 1hitWonders on MTV. I was then taken from the large room to a smaller room where I was assessed one on one by an Immofficer as to what my business was. I remained in good spirits and laughed with her about the entire process begging her not to take me to room 101. (1984)

The brigade of fun stoppers then thoroughly searched all of my bags and extracted a few documents including a personal letter, my birth certificate, and a planner with details regarding my trip. I was taken back to the first room mentioned above where I spent the next 3 hours awaiting my verdict. (I met a couple of friendly South African guys being held who have a group called OnQue, check them out on myspace)

Then through the bullet-proof glass a ray of hope in the form of a blond haired middle aged lady who was to deliver my sentence slowly made her way to the door and buzzed me through. She wasted little time in telling me that home office had denied me entry into the uk on grounds stated in the document she had placed in my hands. Among the reasons were a lack of concrete plans as to how to spend my time, lack of proof that i had funds to support myself, traveling with my birth certificate, and a personal letter from a friend that stated my plans to move back to the uk. I was in shock and disbelief which turned into anger and fear. I gave everyone around me a good hiding, telling them that I was just a young man trying to live my life and experience the world. That I was a good person who brought good things to the world around me, and that although they were just doing there job it was the mentality they were portraying that makes the world such dark and dull place. They are soldiers in the army of the queen and shes an old hag. I was then told that I was to be held without access to my belongings for next 20 hours until I would be put on a flight back to Seattle.

I was crushed, not only had my plans been turned around, my flight made to be a waste of time and money, my entrance denied, and my spirit crushed. But my dreams, aspirations, and plans for my future rejected by the stamp that demanded my deportation. I was then sent back to the holding room where I would spend another 5 hours hating life. I was then told to collect my belongings and follow the officer to a van with caged windows and CCTV in the cab.(the officers girlfriend went to the ACM as a singer, her name was Tamara age 21) I was taken to Coinbrook Detention center where I was booked, searched, questioned, examined and eventually sent to a room that resembled a prison cell more than anything I had seen before. I spent the evening in this cell (4am-7am) where I took a shower, chain smoked, made friends with a very friendly young man from iraq, and eventually crawled into my bed where I spent the remainder of my time re-evaluating what my life is and where its going.

Time to leave I was told, I was searched again, had my possessions searched again, and put back into the van designed for criminals. Was taken back to the airport and put in another holding room resembling the first one described where I was given this time Coffee and a Tuna Sandwich. I was kept there from approx. 8am till 1pm and then taken to my gate and escorted to my plane where all of the attendants and pilots were told of my situation as a detainee. Then nearly 48hrs to the minute since I had left, I arrived in Seattle where I had first set off on my journey of self discovery.

I could go on and on complaining as it truely did suck, but to meditate on the negative and dance with vanity would prevent me from taking anything positive from the experience. Its been a wake up call in more ways than one; I believe first and foremost I am shocked at what the world has become, the way people treat other people, and how the policies have put a massive damper on our freedom to travel and experience life in the ways we choose.

Ive learned alot through my experience as to not take my freedom as an american for granted, to remain flexible as your plans may change (sometimes even a complete 180) and not to leave home without a visa ;-p

For those of you expecting me accept my apologies, I havent given up on you or coming back but will need time to regroup and rethink the way things are going. I plan to spend the next few months through christmas in florida, and if things work out I will be pursuing a relationship with a very special young lady.

sincerely yours,

Port Ref: TN5/2532397