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Biographical Essay29 total reviews
Comment from Giddy Nielsen-Sweep
"I don't all that much care if I'm a success by societies standards. But I wouldn't at all mind if I was.''
Mikey, this is a contradiction in terms. You have quite a nice beginning and ending to your story, but you have contradicted yourself so many times. Once more, I think you are overthinking the problem.You are happy, you are thankful for everything you've got, you're thankful for the people around you and they think you're great. Answer to your question...Nothing! There is nothing for you to do because you are already happy.You already have everything, including your writing. Let the past go and put it behind you for ever. Be happy in the moment, because that's all we've got. Any of us. And here are some more hugs and kisses...oooxxx Giddy :):)
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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"I don't all that much care if I'm a success by societies standards. But I wouldn't at all mind if I was.''
Mikey, this is a contradiction in terms. You have quite a nice beginning and ending to your story, but you have contradicted yourself so many times. Once more, I think you are overthinking the problem.You are happy, you are thankful for everything you've got, you're thankful for the people around you and they think you're great. Answer to your question...Nothing! There is nothing for you to do because you are already happy.You already have everything, including your writing. Let the past go and put it behind you for ever. Be happy in the moment, because that's all we've got. Any of us. And here are some more hugs and kisses...oooxxx Giddy :):)
Comment Written 04-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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Good points. I did get to rambling I suppose and I imagine that was the point for me. Just to empty out my tired brain and get some sleep. Yes, I suppose the beginning and ending do make the most sense. I'll take your advice. AND of course more hugs and kisses!!!! mikey:))
Comment from Dawn Munro
You won't purloin MY underpants, mister, but you DID capture my fascination - what an unusual (and compelling) style of writing you exhibit in this masterful nonfiction essay.
1) sp - "magn(e)t" - para 10
2) para 11 - You've 'never actually pursued anything YOU are interested in?' - ummm...clarify this, Mikey because anyone reading this will say this is not factual (since you write and post on FanStory, for example). What you mean to say is those real-life dreams we all have got put on hold for others, I think...
3) "So I'm still a big(,) typical(,) male jackass..."
4) dangling participles/prepositions in a few sentences (like the two following ones) but I'm not sure whether or not they SHOULD be corrected because the sentences work as a kind of conversational "style"/your "voice" - see what other reviewers say...??? (sorry - I wish I could be more definitive)
5) sp -"...by societ(y's) standards..." para 27
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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You won't purloin MY underpants, mister, but you DID capture my fascination - what an unusual (and compelling) style of writing you exhibit in this masterful nonfiction essay.
1) sp - "magn(e)t" - para 10
2) para 11 - You've 'never actually pursued anything YOU are interested in?' - ummm...clarify this, Mikey because anyone reading this will say this is not factual (since you write and post on FanStory, for example). What you mean to say is those real-life dreams we all have got put on hold for others, I think...
3) "So I'm still a big(,) typical(,) male jackass..."
4) dangling participles/prepositions in a few sentences (like the two following ones) but I'm not sure whether or not they SHOULD be corrected because the sentences work as a kind of conversational "style"/your "voice" - see what other reviewers say...??? (sorry - I wish I could be more definitive)
5) sp -"...by societ(y's) standards..." para 27
Comment Written 04-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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I never really purloin them. It's always voluntary. :))
Mister. I've never had anyone call me "Mister". It makes me feel like a grown up or something. I post here to make everyone else feel better about their own offerings. See? Self sacrificing as always. HAHAHA!!
Thanks so much, Dawn. Love your insights and of course your help as well. The dangling participles are indeed part of my style. But I'll look at them. It's usually the case that they aren't truly necessary and I'm just being lazy. I'll fix those nits. Thanks a bunch. mikey
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ROFL - Yeah, yeah, sure, sure, that's what they ALL say - "Your Honour, she BEGGED me!"
Don't get too excited about being called "Mister" either - I say that to ten-year-olds who are about to receive an earful from me. (*grin*)
You're very welcome. I'm glad you're pleased. :))
Comment from Gloria ....
In answer to your question, what the hell are you supposed to do, my response would be, what does your therapist say? ;-)
You have a recurring theme in your biographical essays that your life's work has amounted to very little and most of was for naught. I think most of us have those thoughts at least once a day. LOL.
A psychoanalyst would have a field day with your rich acreage of self-declared personas, blurry background memories and personal drive to help others rather than yourself.
So, the pattern emerges that you end up in seemingly storybook relationships with women and become disenchanted because you felt you'd made "it" happen rather than mutual love developing organically through the heated process of forging steel. You'd made them fall in love with you rather than love growing between the two. Love stopped because they didn't really know you, or at least that's how it felt to your senses.
No, I don't think you should marry your insane mother but she does need to be emotionally processed and put into proper perspective. We all have to do that eventually. I too am in that process.
You got the key in your pocket open the door. Write a novel. You seem enormously resilient and determined in my estimation. So do it for yourself.
Your style of writing is most engaging and seems geared to acceptance without revealing very much of your interior thought processes at all. There is only one you so bring it on. :))
Excellent entry into the contest dear man. I hope you win this one.
Gloria
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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In answer to your question, what the hell are you supposed to do, my response would be, what does your therapist say? ;-)
You have a recurring theme in your biographical essays that your life's work has amounted to very little and most of was for naught. I think most of us have those thoughts at least once a day. LOL.
A psychoanalyst would have a field day with your rich acreage of self-declared personas, blurry background memories and personal drive to help others rather than yourself.
So, the pattern emerges that you end up in seemingly storybook relationships with women and become disenchanted because you felt you'd made "it" happen rather than mutual love developing organically through the heated process of forging steel. You'd made them fall in love with you rather than love growing between the two. Love stopped because they didn't really know you, or at least that's how it felt to your senses.
No, I don't think you should marry your insane mother but she does need to be emotionally processed and put into proper perspective. We all have to do that eventually. I too am in that process.
You got the key in your pocket open the door. Write a novel. You seem enormously resilient and determined in my estimation. So do it for yourself.
Your style of writing is most engaging and seems geared to acceptance without revealing very much of your interior thought processes at all. There is only one you so bring it on. :))
Excellent entry into the contest dear man. I hope you win this one.
Gloria
Comment Written 04-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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Thanks so much, Gloria. I love the candor and honesty in your response. I have no therapist and that may be the problem right from the git. Your take on my relationships could be correct in some cases, but not all. There's no question in retrospect I did seek my mom to resolve those issues even thought I've never truly felt there was issues. Lie to myself number one and one I fully believed probably up to this moment.
There's certainly instances where they loved what I presented to them. Not the least bit of doubt there. My bad and I know it all too well. I got over that though. Lie number two, acknowledged fortunately long ago.
No doubt there are other ones to discover.
I feel in most of my responses that I'm less and less candid and that tells me I'm not completely candid in the write as well as you are stating. So, yes, I have to consider that. I am being honest here, I guess because you drugged me and hypnotized me. That's the sign of an excellent reviewer. Kinda cute too. Meet me at the malt shop? Grow up? I'm working on it, Doc. mikey
Comment from doggymad
Thank you for sharing this story Mikey. There is a lot here that I can identify with.
You must be a very strong individual to have come through to be the man you are today.
Lots of hugs
Freda
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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Thank you for sharing this story Mikey. There is a lot here that I can identify with.
You must be a very strong individual to have come through to be the man you are today.
Lots of hugs
Freda
Comment Written 04-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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Thanks, Freda
It wasn't as bad as it sounds to be honest. I'm not even sure I am strong. But at least I'm pleased to be perceived that way. That's a good thing. Thanks so much, mikey
Comment from Ric Myworld
Sounds like you are a lot like more people than you might think. I sleep no more than an hour or two at a time and haven't for forty years. Sometimes, it drives me nuts! But there is seldom anything that gets past me. Thanks for the read. :-)
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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Sounds like you are a lot like more people than you might think. I sleep no more than an hour or two at a time and haven't for forty years. Sometimes, it drives me nuts! But there is seldom anything that gets past me. Thanks for the read. :-)
Comment Written 04-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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Thanks, Ric. That may be quite true and that may even be a revelation I don't want to admit. Ha! Thanks for the input. Interesting. mikey
Comment from Jay Squires
Well, if nothing else, you're interesting. No one went to sleep reading this. Since this is for a contest, you might want to clean up some of the nits. I'm not sure I got them all. But if I missed any, that's okay. It's the way I am. And, damn it, people love me for it! Seriously.
Ear nibbling made a comeback at a later date in my esteem. [I'm not sure of your use of "in my esteem" here. I'm not sure a comma would help it. Did you mean something like "... later on DURING my esteem"? Or did you mean to have "in my esteem" separated from the clause before it? For example, I read it at first as "in my estimation ," which I'm sure was not your intention. Have I babbled on long enough over this?]
I was never scared. I never get cut. [Mikey, do you mean "got" cut, since you are connecting this with your Mom's avocation? Or do you intend to project a Superman persona in the here-and-now?]
even purloin your underpants should I so desire. [No, I think that would be a mistake you'd soon regret, lol.]
I don't desire to. I think that's my mistake. [Just as a point of understanding, are you saying you were mistaken not to choose to manipulate people?]
. I seem to be a magnate for people with problems. [I do believe you mean "magnet" here.]
Yeah, I know what your thinking. I'm not denying it am I? [...what YOU'RE thinking. And, no, that's foot size. Big hands mean big butt.]
Parts of it does, why give that up? [Parts of it DO.]
. I don't all that much care if I'm a success by societies standards. [... by SOCIETY'S standards.]
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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Well, if nothing else, you're interesting. No one went to sleep reading this. Since this is for a contest, you might want to clean up some of the nits. I'm not sure I got them all. But if I missed any, that's okay. It's the way I am. And, damn it, people love me for it! Seriously.
Ear nibbling made a comeback at a later date in my esteem. [I'm not sure of your use of "in my esteem" here. I'm not sure a comma would help it. Did you mean something like "... later on DURING my esteem"? Or did you mean to have "in my esteem" separated from the clause before it? For example, I read it at first as "in my estimation ," which I'm sure was not your intention. Have I babbled on long enough over this?]
I was never scared. I never get cut. [Mikey, do you mean "got" cut, since you are connecting this with your Mom's avocation? Or do you intend to project a Superman persona in the here-and-now?]
even purloin your underpants should I so desire. [No, I think that would be a mistake you'd soon regret, lol.]
I don't desire to. I think that's my mistake. [Just as a point of understanding, are you saying you were mistaken not to choose to manipulate people?]
. I seem to be a magnate for people with problems. [I do believe you mean "magnet" here.]
Yeah, I know what your thinking. I'm not denying it am I? [...what YOU'RE thinking. And, no, that's foot size. Big hands mean big butt.]
Parts of it does, why give that up? [Parts of it DO.]
. I don't all that much care if I'm a success by societies standards. [... by SOCIETY'S standards.]
Comment Written 04-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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Yeah, I did mean "get" meaning Superman in the here and now. Hahaha!
I should be more specific about the underpants as you point out. I am an aficionado and I've implied here that any pair will do. Not good. :))
I've heard the other on hands and since I have next to zero butt and the other applies, perhaps I'm an exception.
We do love you for the SPAG you miss, but even more for the SPAG you catch ... well, some of us anyway!!!
Thanks a million, Jay. I'm on it. mikey
Comment from Spiritual Echo
A folksy style of writing that has endeared you to fans on site. Not sure if you shouldn't spread your wings a little further and try a different tone--for purposes of judging your literary scope, not necessarily bad or good in its own right. But it does seem to be a trademark of yours.
Before I comment on content, two errors. Magnet NOT magnat. This sentence is incorrect...Parts of it does, why give that up? THE SENTENCE SHOULD READ EITHER...Parts of it do OR Part of it does.
As for the introspection, I'm not sure you're entirely honest with yourself. You've used your charm and self-sacrificing nature to shield you--give you some armor that will keep all the negativity away. People like you, and you give them good cause, but it seems you've made being liked and treated a certain way above chasing or prioritizing your inner needs. What are they? And for the life of me, though perhaps you can explain, why would you expect anyone to put your needs above their own? They may, as you eluded to in your history, be seduced by a sad story (I have mine too) and might cut you some slack, but it's not the nature of the beast for humans to put a person above their own needs. Some fake it well, but generally, the survival instinct over-rules any sustained long-term self-sacrifice.
Success is measured in many ways, but if you put money and power on the altar, and always have to struggle to make ends meet, you'll feel like a failure. If you lack ambition, as you say, maybe you're using what you do for others as an excuse for not fulfilling your inner calling. Or maybe, it's too tough to figure out what it is you want or need anymore. I sure can't answer that question, but you can. We are our only true judge, but we need to strip off some of the armor we wear to take a good look at the now and tomorrows of our lives. There's not a damn thing we can do about yesterday--or yesteryear.
Interesting post, and I'll be sure to read the reviews. I guarantee you'll evoke some emotion.
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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A folksy style of writing that has endeared you to fans on site. Not sure if you shouldn't spread your wings a little further and try a different tone--for purposes of judging your literary scope, not necessarily bad or good in its own right. But it does seem to be a trademark of yours.
Before I comment on content, two errors. Magnet NOT magnat. This sentence is incorrect...Parts of it does, why give that up? THE SENTENCE SHOULD READ EITHER...Parts of it do OR Part of it does.
As for the introspection, I'm not sure you're entirely honest with yourself. You've used your charm and self-sacrificing nature to shield you--give you some armor that will keep all the negativity away. People like you, and you give them good cause, but it seems you've made being liked and treated a certain way above chasing or prioritizing your inner needs. What are they? And for the life of me, though perhaps you can explain, why would you expect anyone to put your needs above their own? They may, as you eluded to in your history, be seduced by a sad story (I have mine too) and might cut you some slack, but it's not the nature of the beast for humans to put a person above their own needs. Some fake it well, but generally, the survival instinct over-rules any sustained long-term self-sacrifice.
Success is measured in many ways, but if you put money and power on the altar, and always have to struggle to make ends meet, you'll feel like a failure. If you lack ambition, as you say, maybe you're using what you do for others as an excuse for not fulfilling your inner calling. Or maybe, it's too tough to figure out what it is you want or need anymore. I sure can't answer that question, but you can. We are our only true judge, but we need to strip off some of the armor we wear to take a good look at the now and tomorrows of our lives. There's not a damn thing we can do about yesterday--or yesteryear.
Interesting post, and I'll be sure to read the reviews. I guarantee you'll evoke some emotion.
Comment Written 04-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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I'm always delighted to get your input.
A great point, I should try a different tone. I'm putting that high on my list. This is a bit too comfortable for me and I get your subtle point about appealing to "fans on the site". :))
I'll fix that nit. Thanks.
You raise great points concerning the content and certainly ones I will consider seriously. I've realized for some time that being overly wonderful reaches a point where it's a flaw as do other qualities that seem altruistic. Yes, I mean well for the most part, but you are no doubt correct that there's a point where I'm using such things to disengage and hide behind. Good point too about people and self interest.
I've never been one to regret or worry about what might've been and somehow I'm grateful for that as I've seen it eat people alive.
Wonderful insights and help as always. I can always count on you for real input and I appreciate it sincerely.
Evoking emotion is good, that's a plus. Thanks a million. mikey
Comment from Barb Hensongispsaca
You cant let loose with this when I have a six can you?
We a little embellishment and a read I couldn't stop if I wanted to.
Very nicely written with laughter and tears.
OH, yes I am one of those girls you got...you just don't know it.;lol
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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You cant let loose with this when I have a six can you?
We a little embellishment and a read I couldn't stop if I wanted to.
Very nicely written with laughter and tears.
OH, yes I am one of those girls you got...you just don't know it.;lol
Comment Written 04-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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I'm just as pleased with your approval. :))
Thanks so very much. I know now, doll. :)) mikey
Comment from MissMerri
Mikey, it comes as no surprise to me that you are a nice guy who cares about other people and reaches out to help whenever you see a need. I wonder if that is because you were so often hurt as a little child. Some people just grow bitter and mean, and others become more sensitive and caring. I suspect you were born sensitive. It seems to go along with being a musician and a writer. I thought this was very well written and tells a lot about the person who wrote it. Since it is for a non-fiction contest, I guess we should assume it is 100% true.
A few typos you may want to fix:
never scared. I never get (got?) cut.
should I chose to. (choose to)
should I chose to use them (choose to use them)
twenth something (twenty-something)
You were tired when you proof-read this obviously. ;D You rarely make mistakes. Best of luck in this contest. I hope you do very well. MM
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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Mikey, it comes as no surprise to me that you are a nice guy who cares about other people and reaches out to help whenever you see a need. I wonder if that is because you were so often hurt as a little child. Some people just grow bitter and mean, and others become more sensitive and caring. I suspect you were born sensitive. It seems to go along with being a musician and a writer. I thought this was very well written and tells a lot about the person who wrote it. Since it is for a non-fiction contest, I guess we should assume it is 100% true.
A few typos you may want to fix:
never scared. I never get (got?) cut.
should I chose to. (choose to)
should I chose to use them (choose to use them)
twenth something (twenty-something)
You were tired when you proof-read this obviously. ;D You rarely make mistakes. Best of luck in this contest. I hope you do very well. MM
Comment Written 04-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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Fixed those, thanks. Yeah, I was a bit bleary eyed. :))
What lovely things to say. I think you're right about us artists, there's a little more portion of heart passed out to us, yes?
Thank you so much. I'm so pleased you enjoyed. mikey
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
Hello, Mikey :)
To live in a cell of your own making is an interesting concept. I get what you're saying. Sometimes a cell can be a safe please to stay out of harm's way. The down side is that you don't allow yourself to get close to people and experience true love.
Your childhood was traumatizing and unfair. To have a mentally ill mother must have been hard. My mother suffers depression and tried to commit suicide a few times. I followed her steps in my own life, and I have a mental element of my own, probably hereditary. I have bipolar and have suffered depression most of my life. The manic episodes were bad, luckily with the medication, I haven't had a manic attack for a long time.
Did your mother scape from the mental hospital? Your early life sounds like a nighmare and the way you speak about it sounds like you have become a cynic.
How awful to be abuse by your mother and her throwing knives at you like in a circus.
With the kind of abuse you live with in your early life, you have developed a talent for manipulation.
Somehow, you allow yourself to be used as a soundboard for people with problems but you don't get the same treatment. I know the type. I was like that once. It's a safe mechanism.
it's sad the way some people treat you, using you as a sound bord but not getting the same kind of treatment. Perhaps growing in an abusing environment made you think that is normal to live in pain and have low self-esteem.
I like the way you list all the horrible atrocities against you and then mention your bike was stolen. It was probably the hair that broke the camel's back
now people use you and you allow it.
the upside of your hard life is that you never lost a fight and you get the girls.
You are a writer and have a ton of personal experiences to use in your writing. It also has made you a compassionate person. Many writers use their own experiences to make them better writers. I get it, that is also my experience. Being married four times, I think I have a curse to always chose the kind of man that is not able emotionally available and treat me badly. Sad I think that is all I deserve. Now I live alone without prospects to ever find a good man that could love me the way I am. I am cursed to grow old alone. I am envious of married couples that stay together through thick and thin and grow old together.
Good job! Your story is well written and interesting. I don't know if this your life or if it's fiction, but either way, you did a great job.
Gypsy
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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Hello, Mikey :)
To live in a cell of your own making is an interesting concept. I get what you're saying. Sometimes a cell can be a safe please to stay out of harm's way. The down side is that you don't allow yourself to get close to people and experience true love.
Your childhood was traumatizing and unfair. To have a mentally ill mother must have been hard. My mother suffers depression and tried to commit suicide a few times. I followed her steps in my own life, and I have a mental element of my own, probably hereditary. I have bipolar and have suffered depression most of my life. The manic episodes were bad, luckily with the medication, I haven't had a manic attack for a long time.
Did your mother scape from the mental hospital? Your early life sounds like a nighmare and the way you speak about it sounds like you have become a cynic.
How awful to be abuse by your mother and her throwing knives at you like in a circus.
With the kind of abuse you live with in your early life, you have developed a talent for manipulation.
Somehow, you allow yourself to be used as a soundboard for people with problems but you don't get the same treatment. I know the type. I was like that once. It's a safe mechanism.
it's sad the way some people treat you, using you as a sound bord but not getting the same kind of treatment. Perhaps growing in an abusing environment made you think that is normal to live in pain and have low self-esteem.
I like the way you list all the horrible atrocities against you and then mention your bike was stolen. It was probably the hair that broke the camel's back
now people use you and you allow it.
the upside of your hard life is that you never lost a fight and you get the girls.
You are a writer and have a ton of personal experiences to use in your writing. It also has made you a compassionate person. Many writers use their own experiences to make them better writers. I get it, that is also my experience. Being married four times, I think I have a curse to always chose the kind of man that is not able emotionally available and treat me badly. Sad I think that is all I deserve. Now I live alone without prospects to ever find a good man that could love me the way I am. I am cursed to grow old alone. I am envious of married couples that stay together through thick and thin and grow old together.
Good job! Your story is well written and interesting. I don't know if this your life or if it's fiction, but either way, you did a great job.
Gypsy
Comment Written 04-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2016
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Hi, Young Spaniard Girl, :))
Wow, what interesting observations and insights. Some I see in myself and some I don't. That doesn't mean that they aren't there though, so things to ponder for me. My self esteem is really high though, maybe too high. Ha! Most of the people I help truly need the help, so it's not that I'm exactly being used. I do tend to end up in relationships that drain me and often find what I'm really looking for but I'm already stuck. That has to be some form of stupidity on my part, yes?
Curses are made to be broken and I can assure you from personal experience, it is never too late to fall in love. It can happen anytime and it can be as crazy and wonderful as the very first time. I promise. So keep your eyes open. Who wouldn't want a Young Spaniard gal like yourself who can write killer haiku?
My story is all true by the way except I don't purloin underpants, they're always given freely. HAHAHAHA!! Thanks a million. mikey
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I wasn't sure if the essay was about yourself or not, but it felt genuine. I can see you having a high esteem LOL I like that in you. It's good to know that people don't use you. In the past, I had relationships that drained me but not anymore. I call those people "energy vampires" and once you learn to pierce a Wooden Stake through their heart they don't bother you anymore. LOL I know all about being stuck in a bad relationship. I must have a loser magnet. I don't think it is stupidity on your part. Habits are hard to break. Good chatting with you. I look forward finding you in the neck of the woods or reading your next story. :)
*gypsy hugs*