Partially because I'm a masochist (according to its secondary definition), I go through every single comment anyone ever posts on anything I've ever posted. I analyze it to pieces, get mad, write a stinging reaction which I then e-mail to myself, wait a few hours or days, then write a reply which I post. Then I sit nervously, wondering if I accidentally pissed anyone off, and my heart beats a little too fast when I see that there is a new comment.
Another reason I hate my field of study, journalism: I hate criticism. I really do. Once upon a time I wrote a news article for my college paper about how our church's general conference was creating a board to oversee theology and make sure it was in line with traditional church beliefs. I have my own perceptions on the matter, which I tried to keep at bay. I interviewed most of the religion faculty and called a few people in church politics, mostly getting machines and no comments. At deadline, I submitted the article.
Our school newspaper was available online for quite awhile, and this reprobate from Texas got on there and accused me of bias, liberalism, etc., and then he misspelled my name, along with about 40% of the words in his article. I should've ignored it, but I didn't. I defended myself and admonished his poor spelling, in so many words. Now, on his own forum, he constantly lambasts me and refers to me as a b*tch or a "witch, which should be spelled with a B *wink*."
Having learned my lesson, I avoid putting myself in situations that invite criticism. Until a year ago when I decided to teach.
I teach two classes, sections A and F (ironically). Section A is horrible: they just sit there. They don't do homework. They don't turn stuff in. Half of them are failing due to my no-late-work policy (is that such a hard concept to understand?). Then there's my F class. They talk, they laugh, they turn stuff in, they enjoy it. A class: glares at me every morning. F class: greets me when I walk in the door. A class: says snide things about me when they think I can't hear. F class: says snide things about other teachers in front of me. And I teach the same stuff in both classes.
The chemistry within the two classes is absolutely polarizing. I'm looking forward to my student evaluations from one class, and not the A class. Then I'll write my sardonic responses and e-mail them to myself, to read over my angst. I think I give myself ulcers. Very unhealthy. Must find new career.