So, wouldn't you know it, turns out these here interwebs are not a private communication medium and everyone can do a good, thorough read of everything I write--especially those things I shouldn't have. That being the case, though I'm probably no better at expressing my appreciation than I am at not making an ass of myself in the first place, may I just say how fortunate I am to have friends who understand things on a more personal, less abstract level than I do.
Case in point (and the motivating factor for this entry): the short conversation I had with one of my friends hereon after s/he commented to me on my picture from the pig roast. I don't want to go into details for fear of indicting or unwittingly offending anyone (else); suffice to say, I stuck my foot in my mouth But Good(tm). I wrote something in a way which, I've recently been informed, potentially can be, probably will be and very possibly should be understood in a context not exactly flattering to those people gracious enough to compliment me on my fairly recent change in hair style.
It was practically suggested the most adviseable course of action would be to simply delete the offending material, but I'm afraid I've never been very good at taking advice (good advice in particular, it sometimes seems), and the whole thing has motivated me to think about things outside my usual scope of contemplation, and in different ways. Plus, for better or worse, I believe in addressing my problems directly and try to live according to that standard, even if it's sometimes not the most prudent course of action. So, without further ado:
Of course I didn't intend it to be understood that way, and at the time I wrote it I honestly never considered the possibility it would only take a few clicks for anyone who might be interested to see my foolish arrogance. I'm not aware that I've never been the kind of person others keep tabs on (I'm neither interesting nor important enough), and the internet has always been my free, unfettered playground where I could speak whatever's on my mind with no fear of meatspace recrimination.
In hindsight, I realize now it was only a matter of time until my attitude and behavior came back to bite me in the ass. The unpleasant truth is I'm kind of an arrogant bastard. I'm usually pretty good at keeping it in check, but I honestly believe I'm more intelligent than most of the people around me at just about any given time, and sometimes that shows through. Probably more often than I realize.
That's not to say I think I'm "better" than those around me. One of the little advantages that comes with being this intelligent is realizing I don't know everything, and I can learn something from every person I meet (even if that sometimes means learning what not to do. Fortunately, I haven't encountered any of those in a blessedly long time). Arrogance, however, is still arrogance, and, I'm sure, equally unendearing regardless of the degree.
So here I sit, humbled once again over a matter I never realized could be a source of humility, and once again by an agent I never would have expected of delivering it. Of course, isn't that how it always works? It's incredible times and people like this move even me to feel some small pride in and hope for humanity.
To those I offended with my thoughtless statements, I offer my most profound apologies. If I had realized the possible ramifications thereof I definitely wouldn't have written them. I would never intentionally offend anyone I don't believe richly deserves it, and the person(s) who brought it to my attention most assuredly doesn't belong in that camp, but as the saying goes, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."
That said, I'd also like to thank you all for sticking with me even when I exhibit such spectacular displays of pigheadedness, and for pointing it out to me when I'm being a jackass. Even Steve, who I'm sure is going to have a field day with this.
Take care, folks. I'm off to bed early, hopefully to prevent being sick.