Growing up, I didn't have friends. As a child, I was chubby, liked reading books, and listening to classical music. Not being handsome or manly and not liking sports were a no-no, so no guy wanted to be seen with me. I wasn't rich or an excellent student, so I was doomed. I accepted my fate, and learned to organize my life around myself: I watched TV, listened to Mozart and Beethoven with my headphones, and read books by the dozens. My happiest time was between 4 and 4:30 pm. In that half an hour, I was alone at home, and could raise the radio's volume listening to my favorite...