Thanks for the link; there’s some great shirts there.

and there’s the link!

I read your blog in Google Reader, so I almost never comment. But I’m out here reading you.

In fact, I’m here because I was inspired today. I found a delightful blog/computer culture t-shirt and you and Richard were the first to pop into my head for people who might like it. Some one should have it anyway, it’s that good.

I firmly believe that people should show Diesel Sweeties some love. It’s a great pick me up for the daily blues.

Too much reading about relationships and ontologies can clearly addle your brain.

I certainly hope you meant figuratively! But, yes, we can all be uncivil at times. And when we are, it should be pointed out to us. The trouble with it is that incivility often leads to more incivility.

You are certainly welcome in my camp [or tribe or whatever these extended family/friendship things are called nowadays] any time.

As to irascible, well you can have it if you want it. I started to use it and checked my basic dictionary (Oxford American–near at hand) and decided the 2 senses listed did not describe you. Maybe if I checked the OED I’d have found the less nasty sense that I was looking for.

Dear Jenica, of course I’m being kind. Besides the fact that I’m trying to become a genuinely (generally) nice guy, I try even harder with the people I like. BUT. That is because I like them for who they are!

I have a very Aristotelian notion of friendship (minus the elitism and sexism!), which is why I can barely understand, much less accept the last 2 or so generation’s conception of “friendship.” [And, yes, I realize that's a gen-gen.] But ‘friends’ in MySpace or Facebook, etc. drive me bonkers. Even the limited (but far greater) amount of control in Flickr drives me nuts. You have to end up ‘friending’ someone who really isn’t your friend so they can see your photos of some event they were at too.

Anyway, I pretty much think of you all as my friends or, at least, people who would be my friends if we had more time to actually interact; via whatever media/form.

And while I would certainly be more truthful with my friends than a stranger, I also try to be kinder to them. Because. I like them.

But I also understand insecurity. I’m glad to hear you’re better now even if you’re still journeying down that road. I know am sure am.

Besides, if you weren’t at least somewhat insecure you’d take over the world right quickly! Not that that would be a bad thing, but no single person in charge would be a good thing.

I like to think that either of us fully believing in ourselves would be a dangerous thing. In a good way, of course.

So, up until my mid-20’s, I was utterly convinced that people were only nice to me as a favor — that they couldn’t really be nice to me because they liked me, it was just a kindness. I was *that* insecure. I’ve grown up a lot in the intervening years, but some of that insecurity still remains under everything else. So, that personal history understood, knowing that the writing I do about my life and my work and my hobbies and my joys and my pains is truly *interesting* to people… well, on the internet, it’s unlikely you’re being nice to me just as a kindness. You probably really mean it. Which is pretty cool.

Thanks!

Oh, and do indeed cut yourself some slack. Life trumps blogging–and quality trumps quantity. Every time.

But seriously, you did make me feel special and I was beginning to need it. I’m not sure why (stupid ants!) but I was beginning to approach the “cliff edge” by last night, and now all might not be right with the world but my little part of it is MUCH better. I’m glad I could reciprocate in some way.

I do cut myself some slack once in a while and I’m getting better at it. I just got back from having dinner with a friend, and I wasn’t even hungry–now I’m stuffed–but we both needed a break. Good conversation and company and a little time to make each other feel good about things for a few minutes….