ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I met my wife the same day I started writing this novel. Enid, you fanned my flames from the absolute beginning. I wouldn’t have made it here without your love fortifying my life. Thank you.

My family: I apologize if any of the characters resemble you in any way. These characters are not some twisted opinion of or vendetta against you. These characters are monsters who live in a dark world and do strange things. I forbid any child in my family under the age of 18 from reading this book. Also, if you can’t comprehend the concept of a fictitious memoir, stop reading now and don’t pick it back up until you can. I love you all, you’ve all give me tremendous gifts that I am truly in awe of.

I was diagnosed with learning disabilities as a child. Brother Peter Hannon and St. Joseph High School taught me that hard work and focus overcomes all. You changed my life, Brother. I want to thank the Elmhurst College English Department and Ron Wiginton, who inspired me and acknowledged I had something and gave me the tools to pursue it. Thank you, Chicago Boxing Community and the Chicago Golden Gloves, you opened the doors to sacred places both physical and spiritual that changed me very deeply and you showed me the world.

Thanks to Fred Burkhart and your Underground for the deep upwelling of inspiration you gave me. I want to thank Marty Tunney, who picked me out of the choir. Thank you Marc Kelly Smith for helping me find myself on stage. Thanks to the Columbia College Fiction Department staff and the Story Workshop Method for supplying me with the tools to take my work to the next level. Thank you Johnny Brown for believing in me and giving me so much. Thanks to Thom Jones for the help and inspiration. Thank you Nichiren Daishonin for giving me and the world the tools to change our destiny. I want to thank my dear friend Jacob Knabb who believed in the novel from the beginning and chose it for publication. Thanks to Victor David Giron and his beautiful publishing house, Curbside Splendor. I want to thank Leonard Vance and Naomi Huffman for their excellent work in editing this book.

Thank you, Irvine Welsh for your friendship and taking the time from your insanely busy schedule to read my manuscript with care, and for working closely with me on re-writes. You are one of my heroes. It was an unreal honor.

Thank you to the haterz, all the people who stood in my way. Karmically speaking, you may have given me more than anyone else. Please keep being the petty, malicious, people you are. No, but really, I wish you all well and hope you find happiness.

I want to thank all the people who opened doors for me, patted me on the back, picked me up off the floor and encouraged me in any way. You helped me more than you’ll ever know and I am forever grateful.

For my father and for the Old Neighborhood.