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Much of my recollection of my childhood involves being<br />
locked in my bedroom. In thinking back, the majority of my<br />
memories are of moments that took place while I was isolated<br />
in my room. These are simply things that I did to pass<br />
the time, such as experimenting <strong>with</strong> the effects the Sun<br />
had on my eyesight due to over-exposure, determining the<br />
average length of a song on the radio, and other things one<br />
does when bored. I spent a lot of time alone and bored.<br />
When locked in my room, I would lay down beside the<br />
door and watch through the crack between the floor and the<br />
door out of boredom. When I needed to go to the bathroom,<br />
getting attention usually required 10 to 15 minutes of repeated<br />
calls to him that I had to go. I would even see him<br />
walk by the door as I was calling out, not responding to me.<br />
The experiences directly involving my step-father were<br />
usually troublesome. One, in particular, was what I encountered<br />
when asking for more water at supper. I was<br />
about 7 years old when this occurred. When I sat down to<br />
dinner, I noticed that my glass of water was low. I asked<br />
him if I could have more water. His response was that I<br />
should be happy <strong>with</strong> what I got. I was then punished by<br />
being forced to drink water, by the pitcher-full, until I<br />
threw up.<br />
From that time, I never asked him for anything. I feared<br />
asking him for anything. I think this developed into a belief<br />
that I didn't deserve much, which had an effect on my selfesteem<br />
for much of my earlier years – even into adult-hood.<br />
I recall another experience, wherein I snuck a cookie from<br />
the kitchen when no one was watching. I don't remember<br />
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