Telling my friends and classmates, however, was a whole 'nother matter - they didn't find out until much later. It happened like this: In class, my teacher put together an activity that called for us students to bid on a whole host of items, like toys, trading cards, and school supplies. Among them were wrestling figures. I was screaming on the inside when I saw them - how exciting! But the excitement quickly morphed into dread. If I bid on these things, then everyone will know I'm a wrestling fan ... and that just won't do! What will they think? Will they not want to be friends with me anymore?
When it came time for the bidding to start on the wrestling items, I made up my mind. Throw caution to the wind, Jackie, and just be you. I made my bid, said something about the Undertaker, and crossed my fingers. Like ripping off a Band-Aid, right? I don't quite recall my classmates' reaction, but considering I now have no qualms about discussing my affinity for the sport, I assume they took it well!
(It's often like that, isn't it? Where the response or consequences end up being far less harsh that we'd anticipated? That expectation prolongs the secret-keeping, too.)
I've got another one for ya. It's not exactly embarrassing, but it's one of those "this could only happen to me" experiences that never fails to generate laughs despite not being particularly funny. It took place during my junior year of high school; I was about to cross the street on my way home from school, when BAM!, I was struck by a postal truck. Yep, I got run over by a mailman. It was horrifying for me, of course, but to some of the students who witnessed the event from afar, it looked pretty funny. It's not every day that you see your friendly neighborhood mailman plowing into one of your classmates. And to this day, when I tell the story, I get more giggles than gasps (do I need to make new friends?) so I've resolved to keep the story under wraps, except when related topics arise (e.g., car accidents). After all, I'd rather not be remembered as the girl who couldn't outrun a mail truck.
Pretty bland stories, I know. So now it's up to you to spice up this DC with some of your embarrassing or kept-tightly-under-wraps stories. Perhaps you partook in some no-no activities or dated a C-List celebrity in the past. Or maybe you made a fool out of yourself at a public event or on a date. If these stories relate to tennis, that's even better. (Jenni, I'm looking' at you.) I promise your admissions, unlike Andre's, won't result in a huge backlash - we're all friends here!
Have fun and enjoy the weekend, everyone.
[Programming note: Oof, I completely forgot to share my WTA Award picks as I promised last Friday. The suspense was just killing you, I know. (Ha.) I'll get that to you next week.]