Hi yet again, James!  This is the penultimate installment in the current series:

JB>  I do charish small interactive situations, like grocery
JB>  shopping where I can interact with staff, or tease a
JB>  person about the quality of the produce.


          Dallas & I both enjoy such situations as well.  We do the
majority of our shopping at local stores during periods when they're not
likely to be busy. There are various practical considerations involved, as
I imagine there are for you... but the psychological aspects are equally
important.  Where an extrovert might find it stimulating to shop in big
busy malls we find it overstimulating. We prefer getting to know the
butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker *as individuals* and relating
to them one-on-one.  So do you, I guess!  IMHO you're not isolating &
you're not antisocial... you appreciate the benefits of contact with other
human beings & access them in ways which suit your temperament.  :-)



JB>  Hell, I told the manager of the KFC yesterday, that he
JB>  couldn't hire a more pleasent employee who was standing
JB>  beside him at the time. She was the definition of 'polite',
JB>  and very diplomatic. I doubt she needed to bolster her
JB>  self worth, but often people like her are not recognized,
JB>  and I enjoy doing it.


          Same here.  When I was a kid, it was generally taken for granted
that one would do the right thing & the emphasis was on correcting
one's errors.  As a waitress I appreciated being recognized for my ability
to fill a coffee cup & change an ash tray without disturbing a poker
game.  Most people didn't notice, but I remember with gratitude the guy who
did... and as a teacher I resolved to tell my students what they were doing
right because I would have benefited from it when I was their age.  If you
enjoy that sort of consciousness-raising I can relate.  Dallas & I now
make a point of recognizing such employees too....  :-)



JB>  Maybe in my 'too old to give a crap any more' years, (I
JB>  know, I'm old before my time. B-)


          I would say you're wise beyond your years because of what you've
been through.  I've seen the same among kids & siblings of kids with
serious medical problems.  I don't wish such problems on anyone... but I
like the results.  ;-)



JB>  I can tell the two neighbour kids they distroyed the
JB>  house they were renting. Screw it... If they are smart
JB>  enough, they'll know the weird guy might have been right.


          Some years ago I ran across a comment from a fifteen-year-old who
was in treatment for leukemia.  When asked how his illness had affected him
he said he was a lot mouthier than he used to be.  I cheered for that kid! 
From what I have observed Bernie Siegel's assessment was quite correct...
the sweet, docile people-pleasers are the ones who inspire sayings like
"Those whom the gods love die young."  By putting your energies
into being real & not worrying about what others think you maximize the
odds of living to fight another day.  And there's the quality-of-life
aspect too.  I reckon that kid is glad to be alive....  :-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+