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Vital Stats:
Name: Jeffrey Blender
Residence: Washington DC Metro area
The Past:
70s
It was a pretty damned fabulous childhood. I grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Spanish moss, gators in the swimming pool and fantastic Mardi Gras parades where I got beads, even without flashing people.
Little brother Christian came along when I was three. I guess I wasn't ready to give up the spotlight. There was Jealousy. Resentment. Betrayal. You know, the usual Cane and Abel jazz...
When Christian was 7, he was diagnosed with chronic allergies. The doctor told him he had to get rid of all his stuffed animals. (How Velveteen Rabbit!) Mom wrapped up all the teddy bears in a big garbage bag. I didnt miss this precious opportunity for utter cruelty. I whispered to Christian one night before bed, "Your stuffed animals, Christian, I can hear them in the attic. They can't breathe, Christian... They're suffocating in that trash bag, Christian... Can you hear them calling for help?"
Delicious. Christian didn't take it so well. But that's okay, since he eventually started talking to me again, in the glorious
80s
From an early age, I excelled in the creative arts. I spent hours silently absorbed -- just drawing pictures, organizing puppet shows or perfecting my elaborate drag-trampoline number (jazz hands!). Mom and Dad were very understanding, even going as far as giving Christian and me separate wigs so that we could perform in tandem without a protracted hair and makeup preparations.
I was extremely energetic, with a knack for entertaining people. Okay. Ill be honest I was a hyperactive little needy attention whore. Mom tried to cut down on my sugar intake, but it didn't help much. I was still hyper as ever. (It wasn't until my late teens that I calmed down.) I've mellowed out since then I still enjoy a little attention from time to time. But I am getting ahead of myself. Fade to black.
The son of two fabulous librarians, I developed a love for books and reading at an early age. So I churned out a constant stream of writing from junior high school onward. Keeping a journal, corresponding with friends and writing creatively were fave pastimes.
But the high school experience was challenging. I didn't enjoy competing on the gymnastics team, although I loved the sport. (To be honest, I only agreed to join it to get the letter jacket.)
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