I recently found out my friend Patrick has been keeping tabs on me via AAC blog posts. We were in one of the many classes that we have together when he quoted a line I wrote in my most recent blog post about navigating newfound conflict. At first, I felt embarrassed and very shy knowing that people (well maybe just Patrick) actually read my blog posts. He did not stop there, unfortunately. He read my entire discography of blog posts, even the really old one about my conflict banana bread. I dreaded seeing Patrick for a bit…only because he would abuse his access to the AAC website. Sometimes we would just be sitting in class and I would see in my peripherals that he is looking at the blog posts for the 10th time that afternoon.
As much as this seems like a diss post, I thank Patrick for the exposure therapy. When I write blog posts, I really like to show my personality and thoughts which makes sense when considering why it felt like a personal attack when Patrick would mimic me. Going to an academically rigorous middle and high school meant I would be drilling essays constantly. I wrote so many creative and academic pieces that you would think I would be proud of my writing skills today, but that was only something I could wish for. I would sweat at the thought of someone reading my work, especially if it was personal like these posts. But not anymore––thanks to Patrick. I think it is nice to have an audience; that’s the point of these posts, right? I’m glad to have a friend as malicious yet accidentally influential as Patrick because I got over that small urge to projectile vomit every time I knew my work was being judged. So thanks, Patrick.
A special message to Patrick: Expect nothing from everyone.
