Monday, October 5, 2009

I am capable of alienating.

Maybe I have a gawd-given ability to alienate people. Certain people. I rub some of 'em the wrong way. Maybe it's my personality. I tend to get a little personal. Even with strangers. I'm trying to draw 'em out. Early in the get-acquainted period. Maybe that makes 'em a little uneasy. Even agitated. That is, if they think I'm probing too much. But I cultivated this knack when I began interviewing people for newspaper stories. Features. And hard political reporting. I like to get to the bottom of the issue. And into what makes people tick. Sometimes, that means what makes 'em get ticked off. What moves 'em. Then they tend to open up. To show me their real selves. Often, people hide behind a facade. I want to see more than a false front. I want to see inside. Deep down. Penetrating. Even on a first interview. I like to get to the heart and gut of the matter. So, little wonder that I am capable of alienating. --Jim Broede
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21 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 5, 2009 at 10:04 PM

    But I have to admit, it's hard for me to alienate people I like. It isn't that I dislike anyone. Rather, it's more a case that they dislike me. My personality. And that gets us off on the wrong foot, so to speak. But often, we patch it up. Once they discover that I'm not an ogre. Really, we're all pretty nice people once we get to know each other. Takes time and a few sometimes difficult encounters. --Jim

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  2. AnonymousOctober 5, 2009 at 10:09 PM

    I like it when people try valiantly to set me straight. To make me see the light. --Jim

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  3. AnonymousOctober 5, 2009 at 10:11 PM

    I think of myself as a defender of the down-trodden. --Jim

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  4. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 4:25 AM

    Of course, I'd side more with liberals than conservatives and more with socialists than with capitalists. Therefore, I'm more prone to alienate conservatives and capitalists. But I'd rather that we tolerate each other. --Jim

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  5. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 4:31 AM

    I often wonder why some people get pissed at me. After all, I'm just expressing opinions. Without foisting my ways on others. Doesn't really bother me if someone disagrees with me. Even in preposterous ways. --Jim

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  6. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 4:36 AM

    I suspect that I alienate religious fundamentalists because I'm a free-thinker. So they often assume I'm being critical of 'em. But I'm not. I'm just trying to better understand what makes 'em tick. --Jim

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  7. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 4:38 AM

    I know I've alienated some Alzheimer care-givers because I've called them snob ladies. But hey, I jest. --Jim

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  8. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 4:41 AM

    I admit that I tend to be opinionated. But not any more opinionated than many of the people I criticize. But remember, much of the time I'm jesting. I'm really a good-natured guy. --Jim

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  9. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 4:45 AM

    And I really do believe that Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck are jesting. I know someone that knew Limbaugh many years ago. And he tells me Limbaugh was a liberal then. So it's possible Limbaugh is a liberal masquerading as a conservative. When conservatives discover this, they'll be royally pissed. --Jim

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  10. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 4:49 AM

    I personally know a newspaper columnists or two who really aren't the people they appear to be in their columns. They could be writing for the National Enquirer. Knowing full well that some people are so stupid they'll believe anything. Even that Obama isn't a U.S. citizen. That he's a Muslim disguised as a Christian. --Jim

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  11. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 4:51 AM

    I really think the world is a crazy but wonderful place. --Jim

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  12. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 4:55 AM

    I really do have an Italian girlfriend. And that annoys some people. Because they think I don't deserve a girlfriend. Yes, I feel at the moment that I'm living a storybook life. Wonderful. Wonderful. Wonderful. --Jim

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  13. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 5:02 AM

    And yes, I've become a world traveler. Spending time abroad. Largely the result of the influence of my Italian girlfriend. I highly recommend that everyone fall in love. Gives one a delightful perspective on life. --Jim

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  14. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 5:07 AM

    I've also redecorated my house. At the behest of my Italian girlfriend. She's brought so very much light and openness into my life. In so many, many ways. We'll celebrate the 2nd anniversary of our relationship on Oct. 25. Believe me, it's been a wonderful 2 years. --Jim

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  15. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 5:11 AM

    I am truly learning to live one day at a time. Savoring every day. I really haven't had a bad day in almost 2 years. It's an incredible run. --Jim

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  16. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 5:15 AM

    I often wonder why there aren't more happy people in the world. It'd be nice if those of us who are happy could spread some of our spare happiness around. I'm trying. --Jim

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  17. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 5:20 AM

    I'm learning to love all things Italian. Used to be, I was more focused on the ways of Czechs and Germans and Americans. That's my heritage. But hey, I'd feel at home in Italy. It's been a wonderful discovery. --Jim

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  18. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 5:58 AM

    My girlfriend doesn't like Berlusconi. Neither do I. Anyway, the important thing is that she likes me. --Jim

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  19. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 6:02 AM

    We met face to face for the first time in Venice. Therefore, Venice will always be special. --Jim

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  20. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 6:03 AM

    It was at the train station. By the canal. --Jim

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  21. AnonymousOctober 6, 2009 at 1:19 PM

    WOW those number are skyrocketing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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