"You must do what you feel is right, of course."

[traceroo]

Ian and I often end up in these wonderful deep talks that start over dinner and meander into a late night. We had a good one tonight, very cheerful, and very challenging. He's my best friend, and I find him so fascinating, and sometimes so alien. I love talks like these! Tonight, I discovered, rediscovered, or confirmed the following things about

Comments

Re: To think, I thought I was already enjoying discussion of your good bras and your stankin dogs en

[traceroo]

Huh, I never thought of the desire for vengeance being an especially Irish trait. I'd have to think on that... I don't think so, though. I think it's much more human in general. I don't think we've cornered the market here.

Stuff what's in the middle - discussed in email.

Animal Lovers - See, I can't even explain what I mean here without delving into one of those conversations I avoid like the plague. ;) There is a sliding scale of respect and rights that people accord to animals. I'm at one end. I have trouble discussing the subject with people between middle and the other end.

Insincerity - From your reaction to this, I think there is a definite tie between perception and sincerity. You and I perceive deeply, and also oddly. We see things others don't, and even things people don't see themselves or want seen. How often do we face awkward situations over that? I think sincerity becomes more important when we more easily perceive the insincerity that so many have become accustomed to, like how uncomfortable it is to wear a business suit.

"I love that you keep getting to unwrap Ian over and over again like he's the world's most amazing present." -- That is so totally awesome! I read it aloud to Ian with a big grin. I think I might print it out and paste it somewhere. Thank you for the wonderful gift of that phrase!

T$

Re: To think, I thought I was already enjoying discussion of your good bras and your stankin dogs en

[tashewolf]

Oh boy, in no way do the Irish have a trademark on vengeance -- but I think there is a certain owning of it and of anger that is very unusual in what we consider to be more "western" (read also, less biblical) nations. How else to read enthusiastic, casual and monetary support for an IRA who were quite freely bombing at the time, for example? Most of the $$$ came from Boston; almost all of it came from the U.S. (Tangent here that this could be because the Welsh and Scottish have been subdued more, historically, and the whole question as to the true motive for the church burnings in Norway. But even so.) Anyway, basic point being that I found culturally growing up that it was something considered possibly quite acceptable, and I really can't think of much in way of western nations indulging in wholescale organized terrorism. This doesn't even get into the great difference between the Irish and the Irish American, but I'd have to go essay all of the above.

OK, I will go this far... I'm no big U2 fan, but I have an awesome mp3 of them covering Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" live and dedicating it to the Irish. Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds...

Animal Lovers -- fair enough, did NOT in any way mean to lure you past what I think is a wise self-declaration. :)

Insincerity -- ooh, excellent points here! Hadn't even considered! You're right, very; there are strong the Emperor has no clothes connotations to this sort of thing. I'm going to stew on this. Really, it does feel extremely foreign to me when I watch this sort of thing in action. All kinds of switches being flipped for consideration, including that I wonder if that's not how it somehow became acceptable that so many expect to be worked to death (my bad on that last one, but for unrelated motivations).

And I'm so glad I could put a big grin on your face with that phrase! Thank YOU for feeding the withering brain with such deep good stuff!

Of course, being that I'm Irish, all this could indeed mean I'm completely full of shit as you also point out, but if so it's the kind of fullness I can relate to! ;)