I taught myself to read and write before entering kindergarten, which ended up getting me skipped into the first grade at four years old. Every silver lining has its cloud. While the sky remains gray though, sometimes you can't see the cloud has a lining at all.





Making people laugh is the joy that got me through it. For years I was incapable of doing it on purpose - I remember quizzing people whenever something I said got a real one - one of those fits that hijacks anyone in earshot from the belly up - and sometimes down. Imagine a comedian doing this on stage though, when the crowd is hot. You could make it work, but your timing would need to be immaculate. A single nervous bead of sweat could ruin it. Nonchalance is the key.

Not that I've ever done stand-up. I'll try it one day, but for now I haven't built up the nerve. My fingers are a lot more capable than my mouth is.