Confidence is a preferance
or why I call myself Dave.
When I was a really little kid days were long and sunny, except when it snowed in winter. And I was a confident little David. I made friends easily, and generally was hyperactive and surreal the whole time.
Then as I went through school I became less open with those that didn't know me. I'd be a loud as ever with my mates, but quiet if I didn't know anyone there.
I'd been going to youth theatre classes for years, and when I was 16 I made a concious decision to as boisterous and surreal there with anyone, as I would be with close friends. I can't remember my exact thoughts, but it was something along the lines of "since everyone is here to be dramatic, it should be a safe space to be outgoing in". And I introduced myself as Dave.
When it came to A-levels, I'd taken maths early, and none of the local colleges were on the same exam board, so a whole bunch of the brightest kids stayed on at the IVth form. The way my school worked meant I'd only been in classes with about 50% of the kids before, but had had run ins with a fair few of them. I must have known about 75% of the sixth form from day one. So this was also somewhere safe to be odd in public.
By the time I started Uni I'd been being Dave rather than David long enough that this was a not so much a habit as a way of life.
When I was a really little kid days were long and sunny, except when it snowed in winter. And I was a confident little David. I made friends easily, and generally was hyperactive and surreal the whole time.
Then as I went through school I became less open with those that didn't know me. I'd be a loud as ever with my mates, but quiet if I didn't know anyone there.
I'd been going to youth theatre classes for years, and when I was 16 I made a concious decision to as boisterous and surreal there with anyone, as I would be with close friends. I can't remember my exact thoughts, but it was something along the lines of "since everyone is here to be dramatic, it should be a safe space to be outgoing in". And I introduced myself as Dave.
When it came to A-levels, I'd taken maths early, and none of the local colleges were on the same exam board, so a whole bunch of the brightest kids stayed on at the IVth form. The way my school worked meant I'd only been in classes with about 50% of the kids before, but had had run ins with a fair few of them. I must have known about 75% of the sixth form from day one. So this was also somewhere safe to be odd in public.
By the time I started Uni I'd been being Dave rather than David long enough that this was a not so much a habit as a way of life.