I sat there in the hard wooden chair mostly staring at my knees, occasionally adjusting my navy blue, cable knit knee socks. I had no idea why I was there, nor did my parents who were seated to either side of me in flimsy folding chairs. I have since come to realize that the seating arrangement was intentional, designed to cause discomfort.

1. I am the second of six children in an Irish (recovering) Catholic family. We had a cozy, idyllic, “Get Piggy!” upbringing.

2. I was born in Jersey City, but grew up in Pennsyltucky. The Lehigh Valley: industrial depression, Billy Joel songs and the like. It’s a lovely place if you don’t really want anything out of life. Before I left, it got 11% more exciting with a a spate of new Wawas popping up and a Casino opening at the old Bethlehem Steel Site.