One of the biggest challenges of living with a hearing loss has to be managing my energy wisely.  Not only do I go through the regular routine of the day like everyone else, I also have to concentrate much harder to make sure I understand what people are saying and what's going on.

 Imagine moving to Europe or someplace exotic like that, where you know enough of the local language to get by but when people talk fast, you get completely lost and before you know it, you think they're talking about goat penises when they're really just discussing last night's soccer game.  Which can lead to some highly embarrassing moments, (not that I'd know from personal experience *cough*) so when you've recovered and the conversation moves on, you concentrate even harder to make sure you get everything this time but you probably don't, and before you know it, you're worn out and badly in need of a coffee or a stiff drink (or both) and a quiet evening to yourself.

 Anyway, most days out in the real world are exhausting like that for me so I have to figure out a strategy for coping.   Dork that I am, I picture a status bar above my head a few times every day, something like this:

 So in the morning, my status bar should be mostly full - like the guy on the left if I had a good night's sleep, maybe the guy on the right if it's the end of the week, but in any case, mostly refreshed.  

 Then I get through the day and if I have to talk to many people, especially in a group or if they mumble, my energy levels drop drastically because of all the effort I have to make to concentrate.  So by late afternoon it's something like this:

At this point, I have to be really careful to make sure I have enough energy to get myself home.  Either I break away from everyone else and just do my own thing for a while to recharge the batteries, grap a cup of coffee for a caffeine jolt, take a brisk walk or if I can, a nap.  If I push it, I'll be in trouble really soon.  At some point the meter will get flashing red and then I'll either a) turn into a jerk or b) cry.  Neither option is good.  If I still don't get any rest, the end result is this:

So if I've ever run into you and been really abrupt and not wanted to talk, don't take it personally.  Probably my meter was running low and by not talking to me, you did a good deed  - you saved a deaf person from her own personal Fatality.

 Tomorrow is my first day back at school, so I'd better get some rest and replenish the meter.  More later.