And people will fill in the blank, in some cases based on
stereotypical attitudes and presumptions. In order to avoid any misunderstanding,
I was going to make a short addendum post to explain myself further. But then I
considered whether it was necessary to do that. If people think they know me
well enough to presume a stereotypical attitude on my part – and especially if
they feel inclined to distance themselves from me in consequence – then let
them do so and reduce the surplus population.
Meanwhile, I’ll try to take the same lesson when it’s my
turn to make erroneous presumptions, as I occasionally do.
* * *
The depression has eased a bit, by the way, but the bad mood
is as bad as ever. They’re not the same thing, of course.
10 comments:
Glad you are, indeed, in the land of the living. If only physically, that is.
It's spring. Things will pick up. Just you wait and see.
It isn't spring here, Sara. The crocuses are withering in the hard frost, and parts of Britain (and much of north west Europe) are getting serious blizzards. One day, maybe.
'There'll be bluebirds over
The white cliffs of Dover
Tomorrow, just you wait and see.'
The man who wrote that was an American who'd never been to Britain. He didn't know, apparently, that there aren't any bluebirds here.
By the way, I didn't comment on your latest post because the room was already full to the gunwhales with admirers. You didn't need another one, did you? I do envy your rapport with animals, though.
I know it's not really spring there yet. BUT, isn't there a perceptible shift in the air? You can feel it, if you concentrate. And Jeff, I lived in NY (as you know), so I understand the hopelessly long winter.
Americans, ugh.
I wrote that post to exorcise the negativity I've had bottled up for many years, not to garner praise. That was a pleasant surprise, but that you didn't add your voice wasn't a problem at all.
I'm rather Beornish in that respect, eh? Though it's a damn shame I can't get my dogs to cook for me.
I always find that April is the month when I feel the shift. I made a point of it in one of the stories. It even happened that way when I lived in the city where everything starts growing a bit earlier.
Americans? Most interesting subject. The world's biggest immigrant culture with a pioneer base. America has the best of people and the worst of people. My attitude to Americans has improved considerably since I met some of the best of them through this blog. I could go on for a long time, but this is a comment form.
You never struck me as negative. Quite the reverse, in fact. Reserved, maybe, but not negative.
Hmm, perhaps I've forgotten how things work in colder climates. I've been away too long.
So am I a "Best of Them?" Don't answer that?
Ah, but I said the post exorcised negativity I'd held bottled up for a while. I was able to do so in what I hoped was a healthy, constructive way. You're very right about my reserved nature though.
You said 'perhaps.' Americans usually use 'maybe,' as do I more often than not these days. Interesting.
OK, I won't answer it. I was having trouble knowing what to say anyway. Didn't want to embarrass you.
Got it.
What's more interesting is that when I speak verbally, I don't use 'perhaps.' Only when I write.
Oh, good. Don't want to be embarrassed.
Maybe you've read too much British literature and subconsciously gravitate to the style.
Me neither. I might lose concentration and end up sounding obsequious.
By the way, the duet between the two guys was a bit frantic for my taste, but it did hold my attention to the end.
It's a possibility, I suppose. Though, I honestly can't remember the last time I read something NOT by an American or Canadian... Except The Lord of the Rings, of course. ;)
That sort of music's an acquired taste, definitely. Here, how about this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TYTvOMIhWo
More your speed, and I think you may appreciate the lyrics' origins.
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