Make way for the secluded island of misfit minds

dig·ni·ty  [dig-ni-tee]

noun, plural - dig-ni-ties.

1. bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect or appreciation of the formality or gravity of an occasion or situation.

pri·va·cy [pri-va-cee]

noun

1. The quality or condition of being secluded from the presence or view of others.

2. The state of being free from unsanctioned intrusion: a person's right to privacy.

3. The state of being concealed; secrecy.

I learned a very important lesson in this process.  If you want to keep your dignity and have things remain private ... forget it.  Nothing is ever private.  In spite of your very best efforts, someone tells another and yet another embellishes the story and a few more add to the telephone game and then ... then you're sunk.  When the game makes its way back to you, and when potential employers get wind of your "mental illness", you're cooked.  The only answer is to pick up your hoop skirts and leave town with your head locked in a barrel.  Head for the hills, sister.  Make way for the secluded island of misfit minds.

Fair?  Fuck no. 

In my next life I choose to avoid mental illness.  However, if I must have mental illness, I also choose global deaf-muteness.