I have been an independent author and publisher for over thirty years. I've written sixteen books (novels, short story collections, poetry and non-fiction), including ELECTRIC CASTLES: A BOOK OF URBAN LEGENDS, SO DARK THE NIGHT, RIGHTEOUS BLOOD and SEX & OTHER ACTS OF THE IMAGINATION. In the past three decades more than one hundred of my tales have appeared in anthologies and publications around the world. Contact: blackdogpress@yahoo.ca
Beautiful Desolation 
To jettison the annoying relative is one of the noblest goals of Man. (Isn’t this what separates us from the lower species?) With less nuclear family proliferation, the safer (or, at least, quieter) the world we leave behind. (Or my little corner of it anyway.). However, from my understanding of the human condition, most assholes would consider themselves balloons.
Yes, “balloons” are often too gracious or modest to acknowledge their exalted status and “anchors” are too mired in the depths of their own arses to have any perspective at all.
We are in accord, Monsieur Swain. As usual.