At any one time, there are about five-hundred electronic-mail messages in my inbox. I do my best not to let the number of messages grow above this number because of the risk that all my messages will be lost if I exceed my storage capacity, which appears to be subject to constant changes in my university’s information services. Similarly, there are about two-hundred messages in the trash basket at any one time. I empty the trash every few days because of the loads of spam I now get. As I will not be in the office for two whole weeks, this morning I erased everything from my inbox and trash basket. Absolutely everything. The feeling is exhilarating!

Addendum I (April 4, 2003)

A few minutes after I circulated this piece to my “Let’s Make Art!” list, Billy Childish responded: “Why then do you add your rubbish to the pile?” “Good point,” I wrote back. And I meant it. Then and there I decided to abandon my art list. Electronic postcards should be for friends only, just like the snail-mail ones.

Addendum II (April 9, 2003)

Although I have put together a new electronic-mail list for my postcards only a few days ago, I am struck by the different tone of responses I now get from those on the list. They are friends only. Many of them have written back in the last few days. Their voices are warm. Their feelings are crisp. I only wonder why it took me so long to abandon the world of art. The world of primadonnas. At any rate, thank you Billy!

Addendum III (April 10, 2003)

Yesterday I circulated the original piece and the two addenda to my new electronic-mail list. Adriana Sabbadin—a friend and painter who had been on the previous list, as well—responded today:

Your latest messages are much more pleasant to read. You give expression to a softer and more sensitive person. Nice change of tone for a man who is just about to move to a more humane lifestyle.

She is certainly right about this. It is not only my list that has changed. I, too, have changed my tone. I wrote back at once:

Nicely put! Yes, the world of art tends to make me angry. Jumping out of it tends to make me happier and thus nicer.

As soon as I decided to write this addendum I also decided not to circulate it to the list. Although I am not sure about the reason for the latter decision, I have a feeling it has to do with my wish not to dwell on my anger. Let bygones be bygones.