The fact that I could have a friend that other people could see too, was kind of helpful

I’m very asocial, not antisocial but I have a hard time making friends. Spike, who is here sitting next to me, is one of the few friends I made in high school that is still a friend to this day. And I only made one good friend in college so when I see groups of friends especially through social media, nowadays, going out and having a good time I say “I think I’d rather stay at home”. To see the relationships that are really meaningful to me and to experience these things together is really really nice. We’ve been on so many adventures together. People have such complex inner lives that you don’t get to see, really everyone has a story.

I really value the relationships that I have formed and they made me try really hard to be a good friend to people and to be understanding of their inner workings. I’m an animator. I try to tell the complex stories of my friends and myself because I feel it’s important to get those stories out especially since I didn’t go out and make one for myself.

I do have a stuffed animal her name is Mamie, it’s a lamb. When I was very small I pulled out all of it’s fur so it doesn’t look like a lamb anymore. It looks like a monkey. I still have a lot of affection for her. I would make whole scenarios and adventures for this lamb. I remember being very sad when I grew up realizing this thing actually doesn’t have a life of its own. Mamie was my first friend, in a way. I had a lot of imaginary friends as a kid, so that I could have a friend. The fact that I could have a friend that other people could see too, was kind of helpful. And it kind of started me on the storytelling track that I continue today.