I think it also bothers people I that I am self-elevating, not self-deprecating. You’re just not supposed to do that. It’s seen as déclassé. As unkind. As being a bully (for some reason).

But doing things and being things I was not supposed to do or to be is how I escaped North Florida and I regret fucking nothing. Often, I was the only one elevating myself. For many, many years literally everyone else including my own goddamn family was telling me how much I sucked and how terrible I was.

And I won in life because I had a big ego, a strong sense of self, or whatever you choose to call it. I personally don’t give a single shit what it’s called, however. I lived because I persevered against very long odds through all of that absolute hell with that overlarge ego. And with a little help from my friends.