Good Dog.

( a sad tale )

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This post is unlocked; I don't have permission to share the names of those involved, but I promise that you know them, or you know someone like them.

And remember that there are stories like this one around you, every day, that you never even know about.

The company you keep.

Someone once said that you're known by the company you keep.

I think it's more than that-- you judge yourself against your own ideals, first, but second against your peers. And when you fall short in one way, sometimes you'll decide that keeping up with your peers is good enough.

Who are your peers?

It's silly to measure your housekeeping prowess against someone who stays home and works at it all day, or against another friend who has a maid service. If you compare yourself to too many different people's best accomplishments, you'll drive yourself crazy trying to meet or exceed them all.

On the other hand, what happens if you choose other goals-- ones that those around you aren't even trying to come near? What if you measure your ability to work overtime against your friend the single mother of two children? What if you measure your ability to write professionally against the fanfiction you spend time editing?

It's said that Jesus spent His time hanging out with prostitutes and tax collectors. On the other hand, He wasn't exactly trying to compete with them in screwing people or, um, screwing people. And I don't think He was in danger of forgetting the high moral standards only He was capable of living up to!

If you allow yourself to be surrounded by people who fail, constantly, in every way, at the basics of some common goal, you may end up patting yourself on the back for a less-than-mediocre achievement, simply because it's better than their efforts. This doesn't mean you can't be around them, it simply means you have to continue to be aware of higher goals than the ones they're struggling to meet.

A few friends you can actually look up to would be a good idea, too.

Corrvin
(very lucky to have friends I *can* look up to!)

I remember! (Meme)

Bold every statement that is true for you, and add something to the list.

1. I have used a rotary phone. (I've also had a phone number that started with a word!)
2. I have used a reel-to-reel audio tape player.
3. I have used a mechanical digital clock (not an LED/LCD readout clock) with numbers that actually "flip over" like this one:

4. I have shopped at a locally-owned grocery store.
5. I have lived in a town without a McDonald's.
6. I have lived in a house where we didn't lock the doors while asleep or out.
7. I have bought a gallon of gas or pack of smokes for under $1.

Complete the following statement: I have never __________ but someone on my friends list has.

1. I have never bought a Three Musketeers candybar and gotten more than one bar.

And finally...
If you had to pick one fact about life today that would amaze a teenager 20 years from now, what would it be?

1. When I was your age, we could go to the gas station, wave at the person inside the store, and they would turn on the gas for us before we had even paid for it!