letter_to_my_father jane i read an article on it about two years ago or so - why are some people just SO lucky in their lives, and some people, no matter how hard they try, can't seem to get anywhere - i'll try to find it, it was on an in-flight magazine so it might be hard. but anyways their conclusion ended up being that the people who were so "successful" were incredibly driven, motivated, but most importantly they always wore a smile on their face, and not cheapo fake-o smiles, but they were just genuinely positive attitudes. notice i never said optimism. i think it's better to be realistic than to be optimistic... in my case the REALITY is that there are always things to be thankful for, a roof over my head, enough money to care for myself and the people (+dogs) that i love, and i get to paint read draw, watch movies, and generally live a luxurious life - that is, i'm no longer living in survival mode. how is that not a wonderful life? anyways, ------- gets worked up a lot, if you "poke the bear" - so i tend to just talk calmly to him, try not to invigorate his angry sorrow, try to let him enjoy himself for a little bit. the ride home was hell, but you know what? i'm pretty good at letting that stuff roll off my back now. i no longer carry around anger or resentment, why waste your time on that, right? when you have so many other things to do...... anyways (again) - just know that i love you very much, and you don't have to worry about me, i have an antidote to the poison. 080116 ... Lemon_Soda I don't know why, and please don't be offended, but something about what you just wrote makes me want to ask you out. 080116 ... LEMON SODA RESPONDING CHECK 081110 what's it to you? who go blather from