Daniel E. Agee

Here's the deal; the words transparency and authentic get abused in certain social media circles on the internet. Sad, right? In the recent months there has been increasing anger towards the two misspoken words. People often shout (read as ALL CAPS) "Don't use the word transparency!"

I'm here to tell you to shut the hell up. Social media is a new thing still mostly populated with early adopters. It's still not a mainstream form of a communication and people still are having a hard time taking it seriously. Just because you and I see the potential, doesn't mean others do.

We've grown tired of our marketing message, long before the people we're selling to have figured it out. If you find yourself hearing the words too much, try getting out of the circles you are in and finding some real damn business. Tell it to people who actually need to hear it.

You're representing this industry. Complaining about two words makes all of us as a whole look ridiculous.

Hey! Hi! How are ya?! Good? Awesome.

Here's what's going on. My website is mostly done. About damn time right? Take a look around. Let me know if you find any mistakes. My portfolio will be growing as I work with old clients to rework NDAs. I'm in Chicago. It's gorgeous. I got screwed. I'll tell you more about that real soon. Maybe even later today.

But in the mean time just know, I love you dearly and I think you're a damn swell human.

This past March, a close friend of mine passed away; cancer. It was a shock, sudden and awful. He didn't tell anyone. He just wanted to pass without people treating him differently. Regardless of how I felt about it, it was his right. Before he died, he wrote a couple dozen emails to his friends to be sent postmortem. 

I've struggled with sharing this. But it's a damn good reminder to live. Go out and love someone today.

Daniel,

If you're reading this, I've died. You'll be as sorry to hear it as I am to write it, but trust me, at this point, I don't mind. The truth is this has been a long battle and I'm tired of fighting. I'm not tired of living, but chronic pain isn't as easy to manage as it is on television. Don't worry, I've lived.

You've always been so damn bright. It's high time you start doing something worthwhile with it; something you enjoy. Last time we talked at length, you mentioned a lack of focus and a girl.

First, the lack of focus. Fuck it. Do what you are challenged by. Happiness is a realm that few are lucky enough to find in their work. If you don't, that's okay. Love the rest of your life, find happiness there. Life is misery punctuated by moments of sheer joy. Find what makes you joyful.

The girl; seriously, do you love her? Because, if you do, get on with it. There's no excuse to not change your life for her, to move near her, to love her like you deserve to love someone. Make it strong.

If you don't love her, if you don't ache for her, fuck it and move on. Seriously, there's nothing left for you to do. If she doesn't solve a problem you didn't know you had then she's not worth your time. It takes a commitment. It takes time. Most importantly, it takes two. You can only account for one of them.

All we are when we're gone is what people remember. There's no evidence saying otherwise, as you constantly point out, but I certainly hope there's an afterlife. Because I would love to have another drink with you.

Promise me you'll have the same type of conversations with my son that we've enjoyed. Well, promise yourself. Pour him a glass of wine or whiskey while he's too young to buy them and listen to him explain life. Let him be you; you can be me.

I have always appreciated you. You have always appreciated me. It's rare you appreciate others. Hold onto that. Love everyone worth it and despise everyone who isn't. Living life on the middle ground seems like the only way to make it, but you won't make it anyway.

Fuck resting in peace. Live at peace, live in love. 

I love you like the brother you are and I am sorry for telling you this way. I've always been an asshole.

Until next time,
Tom

PS: I love surprises. Here's to hoping we hang out again.