fishing_for_compliments nr i'm all for this, but i say be a bold fisherperson. say "hello, can i have a compliment please?" and provided you're not someone who has no redeeming qualities, i'd be happy to provide. needing validation is okay and normal. 220311 ... epitome of incomprehensibility Yes! the way "I'm stressed out, can we post cute animal pictures?" is accepted (at least in another online space I frequent). Here are three fish that I caught just now: You're smart in a multifaceted way, you can be enviably (to me) concise in your writing, and you have a nice-sounding speaking voice! (I know *this* post wasn't meant as fishing_for_compliments, but those fish were jumping out at me so I thought I might as well hand them over!) 220312 ... nr thank you, e_o_i! i feel sometimes like my writing is TOO concise and i have trouble elaborating, so i appreciate that. and i can be a bit critical of my recorded speaking voice. i'd like to offer you a few fish in return: you're also very smart, and you make connections to things in a cerebral way that i find fascinating. you're good at analyzing different sides of an issue. and you're very kind and friendly. :) 220315 what's it to you? who go blather from