A year in review...Part Deux

In response to a great friend:
A Year in Review

My comment is as follows...
Sadly, I can't be as forgiving as the three other commenters. But you've always relied on me as the friend who was perhaps a little too candid. The years we spent at SM made us soft. The years we spent in the UC system made us softer still. I'm glad that something has re-invigorated and humbled us both. At least mine comes with continuous drunkeness. That's all I have to say with Domaine Chandon Pinot in hand. (Thanks John.) Congrats on the revelation.

Bullet Point #1 - "I used to think that I could do anything and be anything in this world. Yet so much is decided by fate (or chance, however you see it), the extent of my connections, and the limits of my own abilities." Life is mostly about fate. Who we are born as and what finds us is largely unattributed to ourselves. Yes, we are limited by our connections and abilities. Thankfully for the both of us, the former we can work on as our abilities allow it. The latter, on the other hand, I believe is almost pre-determined.

(Speaking of fate. I just met my neighbor, Carol and her puppy Abby. Another oenophile!)

Bullet Point # 2 - "I used to think I was at least decently smart." As facetious as I tend to be, hear all but truth when I say, "You are as decently smart as you think you are." Don't second guess yourself. That is the crack in the windshield.

Bullet Point # 3 - "I used to think I had the killer instinct necessary to be a strong and fearless attorney." Strong and fearless is awarded to those properly equipped. Never be caught without your bow drawn and arrows in tow. Otherwise, don't bother to go to war. Hey, I learned that last week. Dammit, it's not illegal to price below cost. I CAN RUIN YOU.

Bullet Point # 4 - "I used to think I was a good writer." I'm not that easily amused, even with a couple glasses of Pinot, and I'm still reading, aren't I?

Bullet Point # 5 - "I used to think I knew who I was, and what I stood for." Dear, honey, sweetie...quarter life crisis looming straight ahead... Glad you figured this one out. Normal, intelligent people are dynamic. One should constantly be re-evaluating who they are and what they stand for. If not, where is the room to excel? Not to say that one should waver back and forth on the same issue. Educate yourself, make a stand and move on. Hold your ground. As inteligent as we are, we do make sound decisions but the mistake or two is not the end of the world. Hey, Newton was wrong about a thing or two. A big thing or two at that.

Bullet Point # 6 - "I used to think I was ambitious and independent." Copout is easy. Given the opportunity, hard to say who would say no. Maybe you wouldn't. Can't say I wouldn't. But within a year after that, I know you well enough that luncheons at the ladies club, tennis with the hot European instructor, and even a penthouse on 5th Ave wouldn't keep you away from something more extraordinary.

Bullet Point # 7 - "I used to write in paragraphs." Paragraphs are overrated. Nobody reads them. That's why I have this in paragraph form, week after week, month after month, written under a pseudonym nonetheless. Insurance.

Bullet Point # 8 - "I used to think the world was smaller." Oh #$&%, don't make me swear. You know damn well it is. Now find that rope and crawl out of your hole. This was not worth a bullet point.

Bullet Point # 9 - "I used to think I was responsible." Now this is just hilarious. Who reminded you to get your wallet, keys, sanity, every time you left your house? I think this one you never had down quite as well. See? We're only at # 9 and you're already looking for excuses.

Alright. Done with sitting outside. A spider almost crawled up my leg and the slimy thing I felt when I lifted my wine glass was a slug crawling up the stem. Ewwww. Some thing will always be too much for a LA girl.