On bullying, allies and all that stuff.

Growing up I was always different. In a number of ways.

It wasn't until my sophomore year in high school that it became an issue. I got tagged by a small group of guys. Small time stuff. They feminized my first name as a slur, tossed little stuff at me when we shared a class and had a good laugh. I ignored it all, as best I could.

It was odd.

I ran on the track team. Played on a nascent soccer program. Garnered a win for a rifle routine - a toss: three hits on the floor then a flip of the rifle to the person behind, another hit and cut.

And, yeah, I took the most advanced courses I could.

I had allies, though. One of the biggest bad guys in school was with me. The best of the best in our honors class were with me. And the "most popular" guy and I hung out.

Allies are a good thing.