Chris Pagel:  

Apologies to everyone I ever interacted with until about 2007. Teachers and classmates: Sorry for the disruptions. I hope there were a few laughs. I have blocked out almost 100% of grade-school memories, and most of high school. What I do recall makes me cringe. I could not see all the forks in the road I ignorantly passed up to make genuine friendships. Whatever you recall my public "face" was, my childhood home life was daily verbal and emotional abuse. Children reflect their parents, and whatever obnoxious narcissism I exposed to classmates and teachers to was an echo of what was modeled at home about how to treat people. (Poorly, or as a source of attention.) Developing empathy for other people was warped and severely delayed by decades. There was a moment with one of you in high-school (delivering Valentine candy canes, and giving one to one of the special-needs kids) that opened my eyes a little, but still 10+ years after they should have back in kindergarten. That started me on a path to being a veterinarian, so thanks for that. Unfortunately for my classmates and teachers, I felt "free" at school, and was a black hole for any positive attention. I regret the disruptions in class, constantly trying to be funny. Humor was a defense at home, and it got brief, positive attention in school. I just did not know what "normal" behavior and person-to-person interaction should be. Relating to guys my age was tough. Girls were -utter...Expand for more