This pandemic flavored sobriety has its perks. I can hunker down and withdrawal/taper, go on crying and laughing jags without a major audience.
But oh Boy, the Junior High fears that fire up are debilitating. Tapering of Benzos combined with being in quarantine has been heightening recall of Junior High survival skills. But then again maybe Junior High survival skills are especially being echoed right now with the wolves of divisiveness constantly nipping at our screen doors.
It was 1982 and I was the new kid in school. In Michigan . I was tan (just having moved from San Diego where I was a winner of several Disco dance contests) Before major boobs, Before fear of the Male Gaze.
When incest just meant romance in a V.C. Andrews book.
Fear is Fear is Fear , like I’ve mentioned in the post “Stop Grading your Problems”– your adrenal glands, cortisol levels, limbic system are all talking to each other the same way whether you are in danger of falling off a cliff or you’re 11 years old being terrorized by the girls in your new 6th grade class. It shock/hurts. It feels like poison.
Of course I had lied before. But conforma/lying really escalated for me during this time. The type of lies that ensured my safety and ascent on the Junior High Popularity scale. This scale is now called Facebook /social media platforms.
Back to Ms. Kinzers class in 1982 in pasty Michigan. First day. New Girl – Tan – Only the nerd girls are nice to me.
After class 2 boys approach me. One is a total fox , one his sidekick (unfox).
Hubba Hubba
The Fox: “What kind of music do you like ?”
Tan me: “The Village People”
The UNFOX: “Wrong ! ( makes sound of buzzer) You are so moded right now.”
What is moded? I guess Im not in Disco San Diego any more.
The UNFOX: “Disco is Dead “
FU&K ME! I have ruined my chances for favor with anyone ever again. Hello 12, Hello 13, Hello shame.
Tan trembling me: “What kind of music do you listen too?”
The Fox: “The Knack, Billy Squire”
Tan Trembling: ” Oh yeah, I know them.”
The Fox: “Yeah?”
Beat
I don’t think the Fox is totally done with me yet.
But they left me. Maybe the word “spaz” was uttered. Their exit is blurry due to my Caucasian flush.
Lesson learned. Do not lead with what you believe. It could get you shunned.
No doy.
Define Sober 