That's right, I'm back. I said I wouldn't do it but I don't think anyone will notice. Plus, the main reason I left Xanga is gone from my life (hopefully) forever.  The Space Pope you know is gone and won't be returning.  I mean that in the strictest sense of who I am.  If you could see the mental changes that have happened in the last 16 months you probably wouldn't recognize me.  As a side note, I'm definitely at the lowest point of my life since November.  Pretend to care dammit.  Anyway, in the loosest sense of the word The Space Pope is dead and reincarnated as the Sith Lord Marka Ragnos.  Don't be fooled, I made this site to possibly give some kind of insight into who I am, and if nothing else, allow myself to organize my thoughts.  Here there will be no funny quotes, no lame unsolicited movie reviews, no humorous tidbits.  I really need some kind of outlet, however I promise not to ask questions and bite people's heads off when they answer.  I do need to get things off my chest and Xanga seems the only way to do it.  My final request:  Be nice.  I believe that regardless of my friendly jesting, that I have been as nice as humanly possible to you all, so please don't kick me when I'm down, for "...a wounded fox is more dangerous than a jackal."

www.xanga.com/marka_ragnos

END FINAL TRANSMISSION

Fellows:

Disclaimer:  This next post does not apply to the extended staff of Echo Base.

This Xanga thing has me licked.  I have tried to reach out to people who post about how their hurting real or not, but I have just been made to look like an asshole.  I have tried to be lighthearted, but you take me seriously.  I have tried to be funny, and well, you all see where that led.  Realistically, none of you actually read what I wrote.  So deep down, do you really care if I quit?  Don't answer that.  Most of all however, I am quitting because every time I go on Xanga, I become more angry and bitter and depressed than when I entered it.  It is just a cold reminder of how lonely and miserable my own life is, and how no one seems to get it.  I'm done trying to show people I actually care about them and the crap they're going through.  Which begs the better question of why they do it.  If I try to be nice, I'll just be seen as naive and stupid for not "getting the point," and giving unsolicited pity.  Obviously being mean or cold will get me raked across the coals.  So really, it's just a trap designed to tear unsuspecting friends down to build up the person's own self-esteem.  Also, the only two people of you whose opinion matters to me told me I should quit.

So what does this mean?  It means that I'm done posting comments giving my unsolicited and unwanted opinion on big Hollywood pictures and video games we've all played.  I'm not saying that you're not friends, but this means that you'll have to actually call me or (God forbid) hang out with me, if you want any sort of relationship.

Finally:  I'll return if I decide to.  But I doubt it.  I may occasionally check to make snide remarks at Brian Smit's expense but I doubt I'll waste my time with even that.  I'll end with a Matrix line.

Everything that has a beginning, has an end.

My God,

It's been a year.  That's such a long time, but yet not.  It's so confusing, I don't know how time could have slipped by so quickly.  I think you all know what I'm referring to.

I don't know if I'll post for a while.  Or ever again.