At the time of writing, I have known Ed for over two years and in that time I have learnt a great deal about him. I couldn't possibly write about every amusing/ interest event that has occurred because it would take far too long or I cant remember. Hopefully as this project progresses it will give an opportunity to pass on some of the information I have learnt. I have had a lot of contact from Ed over the past two weeks. At first he spoke to me in a good state of mind, his mind free from drugs and a voice filled with hope. However this short burst of optimism ended when he called me up while intoxicated and alone. I recall a mention of people dying and something to do with fortune telling. Ed feels that his only escape lies within this path, possibly because it validates his theory that drugs make you popular or that he feels no-one likes him when he is straight. I am not one to preach but it seems his strength to face the world one notch lower than the rest is drawn from his use of intoxicants. The is a shame as I have seen Ed dispatch abuse made at him without stooping to the level of the common idiot or resorting to violence. Also the hoax call campaign was restarted when he was called up and simply heard a shout of "baboons", closely followed by the dial tone. Drinkers can be so cruel sometimes. The next few weeks will be busy due to an impending visit myself to see Ed and collect information for the site, including new pictures.
It seems what I feared would happen now seems inevitable. Having not heard from this man in a long time, I thought him dead but after speaking to one of his comrades, I have heard he is struggling. Hang in there old bean, remember the old fable about the Wind and the Sun. And know you cant win. I don't understand how this could happen, as he sports an adequate mind but sadly it seems my treatment of him has backfired and now he will spend his life just moping and hiding from who he is. He fails to accept that he is who he is and that is all he can be. No one is truly beautiful and we all suffer sometimes. It is how we combat our suffering and how we treat other people which defines "us" and if you hide under a veil of intoxication then you will just be a shadow in the corner and just another dreamer who never acts.
Contact from Ed has been minimal for the past few weeks due to exam revision and therefore I cannot give a definite account of how badly Ed is doing. Sources close to him report that he wishes to repeat his final year, a course of action currently into dispute due to his parents wishing to invest in a more favourable sibling. It is quiet worrying to see how out of control things are gotten as it seems only days since he said he was sorting his life out. Irony is that Ed is the only one who can sort himself out and if he wasted his chance at obtaining an education, then he must live with it and try and better himself in other ways. Watch this space for updates for the post exam idiocy.
