All my life I know I’ve been different. I have never been one to just blindly follow along everyone else, even when all outward appearances were telling the world I was just one of the crowd. My closest friends knew I was different a long time ago, and we remained friends – we still are. I guess I just grew up with a different set of values than most of the world. I was one for treating people equally and fairly, despite any differences between us and enjoyed the little things in life rather than just rush blindly past the world to get where I was going. While most would eat in their homes or go to a restaurant, I would take takeout and go sit by the underpass, or on a rooftop, or along a ditch. Maybe that’s one of the good things about growing up in a small area – it gives you time to contemplate who you are and what you want to be.
I know I’ve always thought of myself as being unique – not one to follow the crowd. I did enjoy quite a few things that everyone else did. I enjoyed (and still do) playing videogames (even though now I play them at home since arcades are pretty much dead), I enjoy bowling (even though I hardly get the chance to go as much as I used to), and I enjoy art & fashion (anyone who knows me would know this for sure). As I grew up, I realized that I wanted to experience more and really enjoy life, so I gathered around friends who showed me more about what life has to offer. No, not things that require alternative substances or a prescription, but just going out and exploring the world around me.
After I graduated high school, I ended up meeting friends, and then friends through friends who ended up being a very close circle, because we are all unique people in our own ways. Some friends have lasted, while some have gone their separate ways. As time went on, I realized that I wouldn’t be happy just following behind others – I had to establish my own identity, so I did.
One thing I have found is that my love of art and music have been my constant companions. I find artists – both visually and aurally, that speak to me with their own unique sound, emotion, and energy. Again, it doesn’t follow the mainstream – it varies around and usually in unexpected places. Some call me unique for this – others a hipster – others a freak. Whatever the name, label, or reason, I am who I am, and I always will be.