fearless

After a fun night w/friends and co-workers, I made sure my girlfriend got in a cab and then decided just to hop on a bus rather than take the train.

Whoa. Talk about the difference between bus and train! I was surrounded by nearly all working-class men on the bus, and it was all right.

After traveling solo for years, confronting a stalker and even carpooling to Tahoe with a stranger, what else is there to fear?

There are tricks. No eye contact. Sit up straight and be quietly confidant. "Don't mess with me" is a universal language that everyone respects.

So, I can handle the solo ride on a bus with lots of strangers who are rough around the edges. There is a lot of life opportunities awaiting me, and fear will not slow me down.

I feel happy tonight because I finally have zero fear. It's the most liberating feeling to know that no matter what happens to me, I can handle it. The biggest fear I had before this point was that I was not going to be as great of human beings as my parents. I am finally getting over it. I'll just be me, even if I am short of my parents' greatness...

Things are still quite uncertain on the men front, but I am no longer afraid. I do wish I wasn't so single at times, but then how would I be trained in handling myself so well in odd situations? Life skills come with experience, and I wouldn't trade my amazing journey for anything.