Writing at least 2 times a week

...even if it kills me.

It might kill me.

Thanks Jason, you're always an inspiration.

So I was asked to evaluate the relationships of the 10 people I interact with most.

This was daunting to find 10 people I felt worthy of such an exercise.

And I tried to put this exercise to constructive use, starting with M2 (those of you who don't know who that is, ask and I'll tell you) and he was completely resistant to it. He avoids conflict at all costs, and I've found that to be counterproductive for me.

I tried to explain the balance between picking a fight and flushing out grievances in a timely and respectful manner.

I realized that his top phrases are (in no particular order):
1) it is what it is
2) I don't know what to tell you
3) I don't want to argue
4) you would

These are avoidance phrases if I've ever heard them, and I don't think it's healthy for me to be in a friendship with someone who isn't willing to at least discuss the difficult stuff with me. It makes me realize that my friends who I've had spats with, even full blown fights and year(s) long spells of not speaking to each other, are wonderful and courageous people, because I am not an easy verbal sparring partner.

But I think in my 25 years I've learned when you fold em and when to hold em. And, hopefully after tomorrow, will have a better idea where to proceed with the relationships of the people I interact with most, because some of them, I found out this weekend, are not at all healthy.

On a positive note, I think my sunburn has finally stopped peeling.

You know what that means...

All of you who bought stock in Aloe and other associated Johnson and Johnson products are out of luck. I tried to boost the economy with one bad sunburn, but alas...even my Irishness couldn't get us out of this one.