Note to Self

When will you learn that even the slightest bit of fangirling about an author, artist, musician, or whatever gets you kicked in the teeth? Don't do it. No matter how much you like their work, or how long you have worked in the same community, once they are famous, don't try to talk to them about it. You are nobody to them now.

If you even try to express any familiarity or appreciation, you will be humiliated, abused, talked down to, and dogpiled on by their groupies. You will swiftly be reminded of your place as a nameless nobody, regardless of the time that you have know the person in your community. They're famous now, you aren't, therefore your name and existence are forgotten.

You might, might, be allowed a quick "Congratulations on your new book" in passing, but don't expect it to be acknowledged. Insects and furniture are not addressed. They'll just accept it as their due, and carry on with their groupies.

Also, never expect them to behave like others in their field. After all, each one is a special snowflake, you know. You experience counts for nothing to judge otherwise.

This has been a reminder from HKU, The School of Hard Knocks.