Profile Blurb 2 (Removed Oct 7, 2009)

Here we go again. I'm sick, so I'm updating my page:1

I've changed recently. I know what most of you are thinking: “Change is good,” right? Well, while change may be good sometimes, there are other times where it can be a bad thing.2

I've always been good at first impressions. I tend to come off as this soft-spoken, polite Southern gentleman who probably buys most of his outfits either from the campus store or Goodwill (what? People can't just assume that the holes in my knees are natural?) Anyways, I tend to keep that impression up for awhile, but after a time, my real colors show through.3

Because beneath it all, I can be pretty manipulative—getting by the others' perception in doing so—I'm cynical, sarcastic, and fairly blunt. The bluntness has never been a negative thing to me, since I feel like there should be some straight shooters out there who aren't afraid to tell the truth no matter how much it hurts, but I felt I should mention it since one of my bosses (who just retired *woohoo*) mentioned it to me after I didn't get my promotion I'm also pretty good at reading people to figure out their weaknesses (which I sometimes exploit/use to my advantage for entertainment) and I tend to not care when I hurt another's feelings—depending on my relationship with them.4

But why does all this matter? Because I've changed, like I said, and the cynicism is overtaking me. It probably started back when I didn't get my promotion, which I lost due to politics (they gave it to someone who was better qualified for the other promotion at the time, which was given to someone else because she'd been there longer and just turned 18. FML for being 20 and not knowing that seniority trumps qualifications).5

I noticed only recently just how few and far between my positive comments have been as far as people go (books and puppies are easy to be positive about) and how often my conversations have involved the phrase “I hate how...” This is from the person who enjoys helping people, mind you. I save lives, a couple of which happened just this past summer (one closer than the rest. Kid was still holding his breath when I brought him above water ). I plan on going into the paramedic field, a job which guarantees that I will be dealing with people dying or near-dying, and I will be required to do my best to keep them alive (or at the very least, still near-dying).6

Now, I love my line of work, and I love the feeling I get when I know that I gave someone another chance at life, and I have full confidence that I will be able to do it. The only problem is that I apparently don't like people when they're not dying... They just don't interest me.7

But perhaps I've figured out the answer.8

I've become Dr. Gregory House.