Rachel Speaks

While waiting for my slooow dial-up connection to boot up so I could write this post, I noticed the title for this page: Rachel Speaks. I feel as if I should add a subtitle: Just try to shut her up.

Would you believe that, as a kid, I was incredibly shy? I was. I didn't speak clearly, and kids being the little demons they are, I got teased a lot. My teachers used to say, "They don't intend to be mean. They're just kids. They don't understand."

Bullsh*t. Even as a child, I knew better than that. Kids -- even normally good kids -- are just plain mean from time to time. (Not me, of course. My snarky side didn't develop until . . . oh, last year.) They're often snotty little brats, and can be as calculating as any adult.

Anyway, I got rid of the speech impediment with some intensive therapy, but the shyness stuck around for years. Put me in a situation where I had to speak to a stranger, and I just shriveled up inside.

No more. I'm not sure what happened. One day I discovered I had a lot to say -- stored up over all those years, I guess. And this blog is just perfect for me, because I can say what I want. It provides an outlet, and has become one of my rewards for all those long hours at the computer writing. (And as Robert used to tell Navy people standing at attention in front of him, "Here's the way it goes: I speak. You listen." Hence, no comments.)

Speaking of long hours at the computer . . . I'm about halfway through Selena #3 and even though I'm working off a more-detailed-than-usual outline, I'm still finding some surprises as I go. I'm enjoying it tremendously, so I hope all the powers-that-be are as happy. Rachel3:54 PM