Maryanne, sometimes I am an ass.

I know the path I want to travel, but I also fall by the wayside and do exactly that which I don't want to do. I don't want to hurt others or make them uncomfortable - but I do that all to often as well. I'm like a child who has found out how to do addition and likes to show it as often as I can, even though others are long since tired of seeing it.

I am not perfect, by any means. I make lots of mistakes and my views are tainted by my own experiences. One of the reasons I harp on the emotional aspect is because I have been an emotional monster in my past, riding the roller coaster of hate and fear, and like a born again Christian, now act holier than the Pope complete with "post pronouncements delivered from up high." If there were a mirror image Tech posting here - I'm sure I couldn't stand him either. Nothing like a good ol mirror to point out one's flaws. ;-)

I know this. I hope that my posts can be seen in perspective and any useful tidbits extracted in spite of my all to often displayed ass-ish-ness, insensitivity and what might be described as atheistic holy-rollerism.

When I lash out I do so out of ignorance, and I hurt others - but I hurt myself most of all. I go out of my way to make amends for these transgressions, not just for others benefit, but for myself as well.

You know what it's like to be outspoken and hold firm convictions. You also know that one dances on a fine line between freedom of speech, courtesy, trying to help and knowing when words might do more harm than good. It's a learning curve we all are trying to master. Sometimes we help and sometimes we hurt - often a little of both - and we learn from both ever so slowly.

;-)

PS
It's nice to "see you" posting again.