Cry baby

In grade eleven I took a parenting course that featured the task of caring for a mechanical baby for three days. The baby would cry at random times and you would have to insert and turn a key in its back, holding it steady until it stopped. If left un-keyed, the memory chip would record abuse. This was fine with me until I realized that I couldn't very well bring my baby to my job as a swimming instructor. So I had to approach my teacher for a 'babysitter key' which was no longer being used for our classes. Sitting in her office pleading my case, I fell apart and cried. Yep, I'm a crier. I remember telling her that I didn't even feel sad about it, I just tend to cry.

It always happens to me in situations like this, and walking home just now from my professor's office after discussing (and crying over) my paper grade, I tried to pinpoint exactly what kind of situation 'this' is. At first guess I might say that it's when I'm nervous, but no, that's not the case. I don't cry at interviews or on first dates (thank god!) or when I speak in front of crowds. I think it's more related to fighting for myself, or standing up for myself. Pleading my case. It makes me uncomfortable.

I can relate it back to my childhood... don't worry, I won't. But maybe I'll just add it to the list of things I blame ol' Daddy-o for.

In any case, it works. I got the babysitter key and my essay grade is no longer a C.