extreme.intense.serious.

Happy Tuesday everybody!

Yesterday I made a promise to myself to fight battles in order to makes memories and express myself.

Today I came to terms with my father. It's been a pretty touchy subject for the past few years, to be completely honest. To sum it all up, first you must understand that I love and respect my father more than you could even attempt to comprehend (yes I realize I just said, in order to understand you must attempt to understand something incomprehensible... but whatever) Anyways, John Irving did a pretty good job of describing the situation in his book "A Prayer for Owen Meany"

it's on page 238 of the balantine books version of it

"She simultaneously worshiped and despised her father, who was a terrible snob and regaled Maureen with both undeserved praise and a staggering list of his expectations for her; at the very least, she would one day have her doctorate- and if she were to indulge in her fantasy, and become a movie star, she would make her reputation only after numerous triumphs in "legitimate" theater."

of course, it's not completely accurate... but at least you understand a small fraction of the relationship between me and my dad

Anyways, after several stupid arguments over the past few weeks something big finally blew up, and we both got hurt in the blast. But for the first time (after driving home and blasting the Killers preparing myself for complete surrender) I walked up to him and held my entire world in my hands.

I was completely honest. I told him what he needed to know, and he was honest to me in return. It's amazing what honesty can do. Don't assume people understand what you think of them. You may feel like you do everything in your power to make them feel how you are trying to make them, when a simple ACTION might just do the trick. For me, a complete word-worm, it's hard to understand an ACTION could have more meaning to someone than a shoveled-from-the-bottom-of-your-heart confession. Dr. Suess once said "Life's a great balancing act" and today's life lesson is honoring that.

For every word-worm in a room, there is an "actions speak louder than words" guy. Realize and embrace this. Also know, there are 750 billion different types of people, some more difficult to distinguish. So tonight I'm going to bed knowing what side of the "great balancing act" I'm wavering on.

By EXPRESSING my concern and opinion I worked through a conflict. You can do the same. I promise.