The following can also be found in the book Chicago Stories 2001-2004. Click here to learn more, and to download a free electronic copy.

Why, if it wasn't for "Mental Graffiti," I wouldn't be a writer. Okay, that's a lie - I'd still be a writer with or without "Mental Graffiti," probably with more money in my bank account than I currently have, definitely with a healthier liver, quite possibly without this little scar on the end of my chin, and most probably with half a dozen names missing from that ever-growing list in my life entitled "Crazy Women Jason Pettus Has Slept With."

This isn't my point. My point is that if it wasn't for "Mental Graffiti," I would be a different kind of writer than I am today. Why, if it wasn't for "Mental Graffiti," I would've never had the chance to write so many bad, bad, BAD poems and still have my audience forgive me afterwards. I would've never had the chance to experiment, to push my boundaries, to learn from my successes and to learn more from my mistakes. I would've never had the chance to become the writer I am today.

Why, if it wasn't for "Mental Graffiti," I wouldn't have my own gangster rap name. Ask Anacron - he's the one who gave it to me! If it wasn't for "Mental Graffiti," I would've never had the courage to write about my crappy suburban upbringing, because I would've never had other people want to HEAR about my crappy suburban upbringing. If it wasn't for "Mental Graffiti," I would've never known about the hip-hop community, or the freestyle one, or all the other wonderful ways to present a story to an audience besides the way I myself do it. If it wasn't for "Mental Graffiti," I would've never experienced the wonderful synergy that was created by THAT show at THAT place by THOSE hosts at THAT specific time in history. I would've never understood just how alike most writers are, even when their stories are so different.

If it wasn't for "Mental Graffiti," I would've never gotten beaten up over a poem. Okay, that's a lie too - I would've undoubtedly still gotten beaten up over poems with or without "Mental Graffiti," but I doubt anyone would've ever gotten me high for free afterwards. If it wasn't for "Mental Graffiti" I would've never made so many fans, would've never made so many enemies, would've never lived the lifestyle I felt in my twenties a writer was supposed to live. I would've just been some dorky little white nerd who never got laid, instead of what I did end up becoming - some dorky little white nerd who got laid all the goddamn time.

For better or for worse, if it wasn't for "Mental Graffiti" I wouldn't be the person I am today. And if it wasn't for Krystal and Anacron, there would've never been a "Mental Graffiti." So, Krystal and Anacron, I thank you. I thank you for sticking with it as long as you did, and for dealing with as much bullshit as I know you did. Thank you for always having a smile on your faces, and for always keeping a space open for me on your list, no matter how late I showed up or how fucked-up I was once I got there. It'll be more appreciated than you'll ever know.