...but I played one during my undergrad. And let me just say this:

Find a better job.

Right now, you're going to extravagant lengths to avoid having to think certain thoughts. You live other people's lives vicariously in order to avoid your own. What is it about your life that bothers you so much that you willfully call into existence this wall of gossip?

My guess would be the job is a good place to start, since you indicated a sort of trapped dissatisfaction with it. But there might be more to it than just that.

Also, there's no crime in, as others have suggested, writing about this experience. It's kind of what creative nonfiction is for, after all. But by all means, don't let the writing stop the action, and don't let the action stop the writing. Just do both.

Bryant is a very good player -- but I would agree with the sentiment that he's not as good as Michael Jordan. Jordan learned quickly to made his teammates better.

I mean, Luc Longley, Horace Grant, Steve Kerr, Ron Harper, Scottie Pippen, and plenty of other Bulls benefited enormously from being on Jordan's team. Jordan didn't just shoot the lights out every night, but he played for the team win. It sometimes looks like Bryant plays more for his own personal goals than for his teams record.

Otherwise, why NOT make his teammates better? Couldn't the Lakers go farther if he used the proposed triple teams on himself to free up someone for a better look?

I can understand people having different personal opinions on Bryant due to his life outside of basketball, but in the game he's clearly a brilliant player. I'm just not sure he's learned (or will ever learn) how to be a brilliant leader.

You lived life in your hometown

When sheltered didn't mean stale

Alone atop a concrete peak

You're looking for a little shelter now

But while concrete seems cold

And boring better than starved

You can weather the storm

And find what you sought in the first place:

Wings

The husband cannot take "no stance" in this situation. Instead of being so passive, he needs to work with his wife and take an active role in solving this situation. I cannot see how the mother-in-law's behavior is something that can be excused or denied. The husband and wife are married and they are their own family as well. They need to recognize that what hurts one of them hurts them as a whole, and they need to stop the harassment.

That said, therapy is also an excellent idea for the wife. She's suffered abuse and needs to deal with that, as her anger seems to definitely be seeping out in her language.

--

Note to jeffrey: Stop being so literal. You say "but how many of us actually wish (violent) death upon these people". Does it not occur to you she just might using hyperbole?

This is something worth watching -- unlike the Oscars. I really could care less about who won what there. But a show like this would actually be educational, as you could learn about emerging technologies, and watch some sorely-unappreciated individuals get some much-overdue credit.

So who REALLY should have gotten an Oscar for The Matrix? I'd say these guys.

I agree; he's passionate, persuasive, and bold in his roles, but he can also come off as churlish to some people. I think he's just full of life, and he's a joy to watch.

As for "Bored to Tears", I'm not sure what's worse: the fact that you willingly read something you despise, or the fact that you honestly care so much as to waste effort on a reply. Sad.