It's amazing how someone else's story can sometimes take your breath away because it's so similar to your own.
My alter-ego was Super-Piggy because EVERYONE called me Piggy, including my middle school teachers. I started making up stories about a pig who wore a cape and saved people. People loved them. I gave my stories away to a popular girl, hoping to make a friend.
I am envisioning Jay's childhood reminiscences as a movie directed by Taika Waititi. And then all the kids who excluded and/or tormented him have to read the rave reviews and watch the interviews and see him on the red carpet at the Oscars...
A very thought provoking story. I was a terribly insecure child and tried to be invisible through most of my childhood. This story has prompted me to take a closer look at my own masks.
Every young boy who feels himself a misfit can easily identify with this. I read this both smiling and chuckling but also sad. It brought back some painful memories. Thanks for a great read. Ammi
I was a misfit for most of my K - 12 years. Like you, I made up admirable charactors for myself, more than one, but only dared to play them out in secret, when no one was watching. My parents had no clue! LOL
My identities and experiences are different, but Jay's recounting of loneliness, feeling like a complete outsider, being bullied, and desperation to be seen and accepted all really resonated. My coping mechanisms were escapes into my own mind -- reading (so, so much reading), writing fantastical escapist tales, and just daydreaming extensive worlds and identities for myself -- and never took the shape of masks presented to the outside world, but I think they served the same kind of desperate need. I wish neither of us -- none of us! -- had to go through this kind of childhood misery, but I made it through into a happy adulthood, and I'm so glad Jay did too. Piggy 9 is dead, long live Piggy 9!
This was so beautifully written. I am verklempt. I related personally to the discovery of masks early on and being funny as a way to earn friends. Thank you for this stunning work.
Love this story. I too created a false identity to help me overcome social outcast status. My first year of college I found myself a nobody. Even though I never really fit in in high school, I was at least somebody (the “smart kid”). When I got to college, everyone I met had also be the “smart kid,” and I no longer had an identity to anchor myself. When I returned to college, after a year break, I became “scary punk rock guy,” despite actually being a very mellow hippie-type. It wasn’t so much a conscious decision, but neither did I fight it. It gave me a framework to make friends. Only after I graduated, and found myself in a completely different social situation did I go back to mellow hippie guy. But by then I had acquired the self-confidence necessary to make that work for me.
It's great to read some of the origin story of the incredible Jay Blotcher. Clearly your creativity was inborn. My heart is full seeing how you have overcome the bullying of your youth to accomplish so much in your life.
It's amazing how someone else's story can sometimes take your breath away because it's so similar to your own.
My alter-ego was Super-Piggy because EVERYONE called me Piggy, including my middle school teachers. I started making up stories about a pig who wore a cape and saved people. People loved them. I gave my stories away to a popular girl, hoping to make a friend.
Wow. The similarity, but also, how awful that they did that to you. <3
I’m sorry the teachers called you Piggy too. In some cases, adults can be worse than kids 😔
I am envisioning Jay's childhood reminiscences as a movie directed by Taika Waititi. And then all the kids who excluded and/or tormented him have to read the rave reviews and watch the interviews and see him on the red carpet at the Oscars...
OMG, this needs to happen!
A very thought provoking story. I was a terribly insecure child and tried to be invisible through most of my childhood. This story has prompted me to take a closer look at my own masks.
Every young boy who feels himself a misfit can easily identify with this. I read this both smiling and chuckling but also sad. It brought back some painful memories. Thanks for a great read. Ammi
Dear Jay,
I was a misfit for most of my K - 12 years. Like you, I made up admirable charactors for myself, more than one, but only dared to play them out in secret, when no one was watching. My parents had no clue! LOL
Thanks for sharing! It made me smile!
My identities and experiences are different, but Jay's recounting of loneliness, feeling like a complete outsider, being bullied, and desperation to be seen and accepted all really resonated. My coping mechanisms were escapes into my own mind -- reading (so, so much reading), writing fantastical escapist tales, and just daydreaming extensive worlds and identities for myself -- and never took the shape of masks presented to the outside world, but I think they served the same kind of desperate need. I wish neither of us -- none of us! -- had to go through this kind of childhood misery, but I made it through into a happy adulthood, and I'm so glad Jay did too. Piggy 9 is dead, long live Piggy 9!
This was so beautifully written. I am verklempt. I related personally to the discovery of masks early on and being funny as a way to earn friends. Thank you for this stunning work.
I am very happy you found your way. It is heartbreaking how the adults in that school did not see your truth, but punished you for it.
Great read ✌🏻
Well done, Jay…then and now. Have they read this yet back in Oinkerania?
😂
Love this story. I too created a false identity to help me overcome social outcast status. My first year of college I found myself a nobody. Even though I never really fit in in high school, I was at least somebody (the “smart kid”). When I got to college, everyone I met had also be the “smart kid,” and I no longer had an identity to anchor myself. When I returned to college, after a year break, I became “scary punk rock guy,” despite actually being a very mellow hippie-type. It wasn’t so much a conscious decision, but neither did I fight it. It gave me a framework to make friends. Only after I graduated, and found myself in a completely different social situation did I go back to mellow hippie guy. But by then I had acquired the self-confidence necessary to make that work for me.
This is a great read. Thank you. It's amazing what people will go through to gain acceptance. I wonder how often it's worth the effort.
It's great to read some of the origin story of the incredible Jay Blotcher. Clearly your creativity was inborn. My heart is full seeing how you have overcome the bullying of your youth to accomplish so much in your life.