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Published on June 13, 2002

Paul’s playing Counting Crows at his desk next to me… It’s a nice change from the morning tripe that emanates from Bob’s radio. Of course, he’s not here today, and even if he were, his desk is set off from the rest of ours, so I wouldn’t be able to hear it anyway…

What about a person gives you the impression that they can see right through you, to the things you don’t say but perhaps let through with your eyes if you don’t catch yourself? Is it an inherent kinship with that person’s way of thinking, a common vantage point on the world? Or is it a quality that only some people possess, an intuitive strain in their personality? Is it something you can cultivate in yourself? It’s sad, in more than one way, how we get better at shrouding ourselves as we get older… I suppose it’s necessary, though, given the realities of the world. That was my first impression upon meeting one of my older (mid-20s) relatives when I was still a teenager, how they seemed more adept at hiding within themselves… Perhaps it was just them, and I don’t know how I knew, but I remember coming upon that thought. It touches on one of the things that makes adolescence such a tumultuous time, as well, how we come into possession of some very grown-up emotions and longings during that time, and we are still learning how to rein them in, and conduct ourselves with people without letting inappropriate expressions through… That’s the knife edge of maturity, though–how do we thicken our skin against the world but still retain that vulnerability that allows us to have compassion and see through another’s faults?

More questions than answers this morning…

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3 Comments

  1. eztibug says:

    hey matt……..I liked that insightful post today:) I understood it:) yay! SO how are you bud! When you get online talk to me!

    Emma

  2. is this ur brother paul or a coworker?

  3. admin says:

    Coworker. He’s the “technical illustrator” here.