It's been a while since I've blogged. Re-reading my first blog, I realized my emotions haven't changed, I'm still down about it. But, there is so much else to focus on in my life right now. For starters, after 10 years with my roommate in the same place, I am finally moving out, closer to my office. I couldn't be more excited to start a new chapter, purge myself of crap I have accumulated for a decade, and start fresh. A new roommate, a new home, a new neighborhood and a new adventure. A few unfortunate legal matters that I was immensely stressed out about when all this AA nonsense started is finally wrapping up and behind me. I'll be getting a new car next year.

Meanwhile, back in Gothom City, with all this going on, I still have my arch nemesis, Alopecia, lurking in the background, waiting for the first sign of my happiness to pop up in a mirror and remind me of what is happening to my body. I have to say, of all the evil villains I have encountered in my super hero career, this one truly is a crafty one, and will require more strength than I have had to muster with my past foes. I guess every super hero has that one enemy, that one rival that truly requires more ingenuity, cunning, strength and inner resourcefulness than most. I guess, it is a good thing that I am relocating to a new secret lair. One which, perhaps, will be outfitted to better serve my heroic needs.

Okay, so you are all probably thinking that I've lost my mind and truly believe I'm a super hero. And you would be correct. Growing up an only child, I spent every waking hour as a boy with my head buried in comic books. Every positive trait I possess today, every ounce of honesty, loyalty, integrity and compassion I learned from Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman. They were the ultimate teachers. (And if any of you have kids, these lessons are invaluable, and I suggest a trip to your local comic book shop STAT.)

We have all endured so much in our lives, and I am no exception. And through all of the bad times, and the really bad times, I always managed to pull through. Most of the time totally on my own, without much help from people around me. Something inside me would remind me of the heroism and sacrifice my comic book mentors had clung to when things were at their darkest. And then I would find myself in a dark place, and I would hear that little voice from Krypton say, "Get up Superboy, you can do this." I'd be lost somewhere at night, and see a bat in the shadows, guiding me to safety. I'd be faced with the most impossible decisions, and feel my inner Amazon say "Come on Wonderboy, you know exactly what to do, believe in yourself."

Corny, maybe. But who cares. 2 years ago, I made a purchase that made me the happiest dude in the world. A custom made Superman outfit, a direct replica of the costume donned by Brandon Routh for "Superman Returns." Designed to fit my body to a T. Best $500 bucks I ever spent, and eventually won back every penny and then some from costume contests. I would go to the halloween festival and hear little kids pointing and screaming "It's really Superman!" (The costume really is that good.) I refused to drink on halloween night, or even smoke as long as I was Superman, because I had to maintain Supes' image for the kiddies. My roommate even said, "Don't even pretend like you just bought it for halloween, nerd." She was right.

Well, this year, I was really upset because I couldn't be Superman. Because Superman had hair, and I was not about to find some lame wig to go with my awesome costume. And with tears, I tried it on, and then put it away. Not being able to be my alter ego was the hugest blow, and the one moment since Alopecia started harassing me that I truly felt helpless. It was as if my crime fighting days were over. Defeated, helpless. If you read my first blog, then you know just how helpless.

And helpless I've been. Even as I try to distract myself with the things I can do something about. And today, something happened that made a huge difference. A post on here about celebrities with Alopecia. Christopher Reeve had it since he was 16. Superman himself. And then it hit me out of the blue, if Superman can deal with it, then so can I. Because deep down, I'm still a super hero, even if my enemy wants to kick me while I'm down. I'm still the same little boy who gained super powers while reading a simple comic book. The same boy who dreamed of being Wonder Woman's kid brother, the only male born to the Amazons of Paradise Island. Alopecia cannot take away the countless victories I've made throughout my crime fighting career. It can only take my hair. And you know what... I'll be damned if it will win this fight. I will find it's weakness and I will beat him down to the ground. Not just for me, but for all of us on here fighting the same fight. It will not take my hope, either. I know how this story will end. It will end with me, in my Kryptonian costume, fighting for peace, justice and truth. I'm not sure how long it will take or how I will win this struggle, but I will. Because I'm a Super Hero, dammit.

As Thanksgiving approaches, and I re-evaluate what I am thankful for, I'll start with Priya, for posting "Celebrities with Alopecia," and Mary for adding Mr. Reeve to the list, and Thea, for telling me where to look and most of all for this amazing community, for guiding me back inside myself, and re-discovering who I am on the inside. Yes, I am still down, and as soon as I look in the mirror, I'll remember why I am down. But I also will not let go of my inner super hero - and I will win this, with all of you by my side.

Man, I needed this.

Up, Up and Away....

Superman.