Plus ca change

posted September 3rd, 2015 at 7:21 AM

I confess I'm cynical and resigned. Time to call it. We won't be hanging out. You like party boys. I'm square, so not your type. Don't smoke, drink or do drugs. Don't hang out with high-risk people, in bars or elsewhere. Don't watch TV, follow a religion or ideology, or eat beef. I hardly ever even sit except to drive, and if they had stand-up cars I'd get one. You seem to think I'm pretty. I'm older than I look - mentally, not just chronologically. My life has been chaotic, so I've learned to appreciate people who are direct, present, and Zen...and you're not those things. Maybe I learned this preference from my dogs. They don't like inauthentic humans either. It's just as well. I came to North America with my family from the other side of the world, and now we're all leaving one by one, in one sense or another. The ties that bind me here won't last. You're different around me, and maybe your friends tease you about it, but things will be simpler now. I know a bit about your habits, and will change mine to avoid you. The usual pleasantries will be observed, but nothing will follow. You'll go back to being just another pretty face, because there doesn't seem to be enough commonality or desire for anything else. If it's you, me, and your pretense, drama and angst, that's three too many in the conversation. The party boys are better for that. I may have my license to play, but I won't be needing it for you.

8 Comments

You sound....

Sep 3, 2015 at 11:13am

Pretentious and dull.... Live a little, buddy! It's a big crazy world, go have some fun!

OP

Sep 3, 2015 at 11:31am

@You sound

Party boys don't read so well past the first couple of paragraphs. Fitting.

@OP

Sep 3, 2015 at 3:28pm

Maybe party boys don't read so well, but I read it just fine.

Are you sure you actually read it? It specifically says how he doesn't drink, do drugs, watch TV, follow religion, or anything else (I'm not saying that drugs are fun btw). It doesn't say what he actually does instead of being so pretentious and dull. There's no mention of anything fun that he does. Or, if you are the OP, then again, no mention of you doing anything fun.

You can add judgmental to your list of things you gotta stop doing.

Ratings agree with me, lol.

OP

Sep 3, 2015 at 4:05pm

@You sound

"or anything else"...so not doing these things means one does not do anything else, either. The antithesis of having a "life", as you understand it. To think that a worthwhile life can only happen within these limits is to be a very small person, indeed. Lack of information, a few assumptions, and plenty of judging complete such a vision.

I didn't say my way was better. It's harder, and lonelier. What you call "life" is not for me, not because I know nothing about it, but because it is the soup in which I used to swim, for many years.

Since I don't have a life by your definition, I'll call it my existence, and it is very satisfactory. I've been all over the world, and my days are quite eventful. I seem to have no tastes, priorities or interests in common with the person I originally described. We have no way to relate. Based on your output, the same applies to you - something that makes both of us happy, I think.

Long may that continue.

As for the one my post addressed, there's physical attraction, but nothing else. That's how I know the time to call it.

By the way, the "lol" is a good tell of your maturity level (says nothing good about it). When you're putting forth an argument, may want to hold off on your lolz.

ALPHA PHILOSOPHER

Sep 3, 2015 at 5:54pm

What are you a first year Phil student trying to flex? Look doge man, you're mad because she's not into you. If you're going to go around condescendingly evaluating her choices, then guess what; She's not living up to your standards of what SHE'S ABOUT right now. What do you think is more important, her autonomy to make choices, or (hint) your DUMB PRETENSIONS about who you think she should be.

Move on.

If you're so wise with your zen and your dogs, don't make the same mistake later in life.

P.S. Since you're all tossing the word authentic like it's the thing; continental philosophy and romance don't go super well together. Try being authentic with your own feelings without hiding behind your wall of Superior wise guy thing.

geeknomad

Sep 3, 2015 at 6:32pm

@ALPHA

Not so good with the comprehension here, either. Maybe something in the water?

She IS into me. BUT I don't fit with her life, interests, or social circles. I know it, and therefore bagged it.

Your reaction speaks volumes about your own insecurities, and has nothing to do with what I wrote. Uni was a long time ago for me, and for her. I know GS skews younger, but TRY to imagine a world from something other than the undergrad perspective.

I use fewer, loaded words to convey a lot of meaning; because of that, the narrative necessarily carries an emotive charge. This wasn't about you. Don't take it so personally.