I have been writing in a journal on an almost-daily basis since I was 17 years old. This is a record of me going through each entry from the beginning, and commenting on the me from fifteen years ago.

Oh, if only I could be that way with everybody all the time. Sue – she brings out the best and the worst in me. But for now, I hope the free talking lasts. If only I could perfect it while talking with my male peers. Got to stop worrying what to say and trying to force conversation. Just let it happen, I say. Keep working, my friend, perhaps soon you’ll master this socialization technique that you’ve tried to grasp so long.

I’m trying to grasp how to be social, but what I didn’t grasp is that sometimes you’re just more comfortable around some than others. I also didn’t know the secret conversation weapon. You just have to talk about the other person’s favorite subject, and everyone has the same favorite subject: themselves.