I have always been vocal. If there are actual strangers who read this Blog, they should be informed that the last sentence received a great big "Duh" from those reading that do know me. Even my Orthodontist informed me that the reason I needed braces was that my mouth was too big for my teeth.
The result is that I will begin opening my mouth at about the same time that my brain decides to formulate an answer to any given question. Likewise, there is always an answer to any question. Call it the scientist in me, but I hate the answer: "I don't know". It helps that I was raised by a scientist.
But there is a downside to this tendency to be first to speak and loudest. IE, I have enemies. Enemies I didn't even know disliked me, and could not for the life of me tell you what I said or when I said the horrible thing that made them realize I was the scourge of the earth.
I once lost a part in a play; thought I had done reasonably well at the audition, and then found out later that someone involved in the process had been horribly offended by something I said at the audition. I racked my brain, going over and over the day and could think of nothing.
Then there was the time I mortally offended a fellow cast member by asking what I thought was a reasonable question in response to what someone else had said. The word I was asking about is horrible enough to have made her not speak to me nor even look at me for three weeks. Now, I DID NOT use said word in reference to her myself, I was clarifying what someone else said. But there I went with my big mouth. It only took a few minutes for my brain to catch up that time. Unfortunate that my foot knows a faster route to my mouth than my brain.
Still and all, I like it this way. You always know what I think, and how I feel about you. Whoever you are. What degree of tact I use in describing my feelings is something I have learned to improve on. Sign of aging I guess. But I would be the first to get kicked off survivor, have no hope in the political world, and would get chewed up and spit out down Hollywood way at the first social event I worked my way into.
Most of all, I like it because it keeps me honest. In my childhood, I lied so much that even I started to believe my version of the truth. This way, I speak the truth before that little demon and angel pair get up on my shoulders and start debating about which way to say it. So if I should offend you, slap me, take my left shoe off and hand it too me gently. My brain is still looking for the shortcut.
Dearheart,
People who get offended by your honesty are afraid of looking closely at themselves. They are afraid they may just find that they are not perfect. Those of us who adore and appreciate your honesty know that we are not perfect and are willing to give you a dose of honesty back when needed.
Posted by: Teresa at April 22, 2004 11:00 AMChuck, I'm confused - this is a personal log - we all are *FANATIC* supporters of the first ammendment (and power is derived from the people to the government) why do you need a disclaimer? If you are going to self-censor yourself you'd need to have an ongoing disclaimer with everyone entry.
If people are judging you on your log entries - and those people are problematic - maybe it would be better if they didn't have access to your personal thoughts.
Posted by: Steve at April 22, 2004 08:08 PM