Dear Cali Chica:

I grew up with a jackhammer (I am liking this new term), a woman who is manic, frenzied, anxious, going on and on and on about things, nonstop, talking to me anytime, no consideration of my need for silence, for a break from that jackhammer, inconsiderate of me, on and on and on.. . Fast forward, any noise I heard as an adult was magnified, in my own brain, taking on the jackhammer-of-my-childhood quality:

A dog barking- jackhammer! I can’t stand this noise, when will it stop, what if it never stops! The owner doesn’t mind disturbing me this way, thinks I am not worth it to be considerate of me!

Neighbors noise- jackhammer! how rude, do they think I am so  worthless that it is okay to disturb me this way (angry!) I am stuck in never-ending noise!

A person talking a bit too much- jackhammer! How rude this person is, how dare he talk and talk and talk to me (angry!) I have to get away!

anita