The only people who can really cut you are those you know the best, and of course they won’t do it because they like you! As a writer and public speaker, I know that nothing said about my writing/speaking will ever bother me. And nor should comments like that bother you. The stuff that will matter comes from family and friends, and the more their comments sting, the more you should reflect on them.

When I was in college debate we used to read our prepared speeches and then do rebuttals while our peers yelled insults at us from afar. You’re no one unless you’ve had a telling of “The Aristocrats” sneered at you while talking about foreign policy.

I’d recommend doing something simliar. It’ll help, trust me.

melissa

let’s hear more about how he uses long words inappropriately in a misguided attempt to make people think he’s smarter than he really is!

or about how he makes people (male and female) fall in love with him but has no idea what to do with it even though he is completely aware!

i hate you guys.

when i was a wee little undergrad and you were a towering early-year grad student, here is what i thought of you: looks like an jerk, has a don’t-mess-with-me persona, and damn his girlfriend is hot. (i vaguely recall you having a buzz cut. this did nothing to help your image in my young, feeble mind.)

i’m so glad i ended up _____. you fucking rock. you’re the 21st century’s web-2.0 plugged-in venture-nut post-hippie answer to the renaissance man.

you’re going to kick ass tomorrow at your defense. congratulations on finishing that monster of a thesis. i’m sure your presentation will be flawless (at least the slides, which no doubt will conform to your higher standards for design; i’m thinking three-to-one odds you don’t look totally caffeined out by presentation time).

i’ll try to make it to show my support (space science 106 according to bioe.rice.edu!) but i’ve got two experiments going and an undergrad to stop from screwing up, so i might be cutting it too close. if i’m not there, blow it out of the park for me. n.b.: i had no idea how fast defense-related gossip flies around campus. “so-and-so got reamed!” or “shit, it was so awkward to be sitting in that room.” let this not panic you. too much.

on that note, good luck. and congratulations again.

and like i said before, you fucking rock.

Embrace your thick skin, use it, wear it proudly, and remember to treat those without the same gently and humbly. No huge stabs or insults here, just enjoy the day and take care of yourself better than when in Grad school.