Actual News Headline: "Psychic Says Panda is Pregnant."

I played Monopoly for the first time in years Saturday night. We lost the rules, but it was okay cause I had it all memorized...even how much money you're supposed to get. I was a Monopoly fiend back in the day. By the end of the game, I had all four railroads, Park Place and Boardwalk, and nearly half of the properties on the board...almost all sporting houses.

I have decided I won't rely on other people to validate me anymore. I will give what I can in a way that only I can, and some people will like it and some won't. And if they don't, it's okay. Everyone's different, so I won't force it on them. I'm tired of living in fear, or on pins and needles. I stood up to my dad yesterday. I was crying by the end, but I don't regret it. I won't let him insinuate that I'm less that what I know I am anymore. And he won't brush away my feelings as unimportant anymore. I don't care if he accepts them, but he will acknowledge them. So I am here...I will offer myself again, like I'm supposed to. And if you turn away or even push me away, I'll just get up and move on. Everyone won't be my friend, or understand me, or even like me. It's hard to admit that, but it's true of everyone, isn't it? I think that the sooner I accept that, really process that, the sooner I can find the courage to be my whole self...not hold back important parts of me. I'm not saying I'm just going to say everything that pops in my head...of course I'll be discerning and mindful of other people's feelings. I don't want to hurt anyone, especially the people I care about. But I will try to be more honest about who I really am. On a good day, I want to be kind and helpful and calm, but on bad days, I can be manipulative and selfish. I want to work on the bad things and bring out more of the good things, just like most other people. And I guess the first step is to be honest.