As a teen, I was bullied, self-conscious, and insecure. Most of the time I wanted to be invisible. This is the main reason I thrive in big cities. As an older, overweight man, people just don’t notice me unless I make an effort. Otherwise, I drift by, looking for interesting people in the crowds. Even when I make eye contact with others, I’m instantly forgotten. However, a young, striking woman got off the bus as I was walking by *saw* me. I can’t really describe how I know, just that I suddenly became aware of myself. This happened in only a second. She turned around and walked away, leaving me frozen and vulnerable. Moments later, a pedestrian clipped me, and the world resumed.