Bad Reputation

I've been trying to deal with the self-inflicted humiliation that has become occupationally-specific agoraphobia of moving around my former professional world, particularly now that I am actively seeking help and attending meetings through the OurState Lawyers Assistance Program and AA--which requires me to leave my little office high up on the 9th floor of the Public Square of OurTown and walk among the living into venues where I practiced law for 28 years.   I'm trying to get at the root of my fear and dread, and it's all ego--fuck my ego, dammit.

So this morning I turned on my car stereo and the familiar crashing guitars and drums of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts sent me an inspirational message:

I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation

You're living in the past it's a new generation

A girl can do what she wants to do and that's

What I'm gonna do

An' I don't give a damn ' bout my bad reputation

Oh no not me

An' I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation

Never said I wanted to improve my station

An' I'm only doin' good

When I'm havin' fun

An' I don't have to please no one

An' I don't give a damn

'Bout my bad reputation

Oh no, not me

Oh no, not me

I don't give a damn

'Bout my reputation

I've never been afraid of any deviation

An' I don't really care

If ya think I'm strange

I ain't gonna change An' I'm never gonna care 'Bout my bad reputation

Oh no, not me

Oh no, not me

Pedal boys!

An' I don't give a damn

'Bout my reputation

The world's in trouble

There's no communication

An' everyone can say

What they want to say

It never gets better anyway

So why should I care

'Bout a bad reputation anyway

Oh no, not me

Oh no, not me

I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation

You're living in the past

It's a new generation

An' I only feel good

When I got no pain

An' that's how I'm gonna stay

An' I don't give a damn

'Bout my bad reputation

Oh no, not me

Oh no, not me

_____________________________

Thanks, light!  Thanks, Joan!