LW,

I bet you want to let it rip too, but then the kids would have no safe harbor. Your guy sounds like a candidate for some drugs and some form of meditation. Who knows what makes people tweak, the information we have coming in so fast and in such volume. His head could explode and the explatives fly! The over-stimulation he seems to be particularly sensitive to is making him crazy...uh, right? I'd throw some alphabet around, but I am no doctor.

It's a crazy world and the kids will see it soon enough. Probably not a good idea to take the little ones aside for a fireside chat with Mom.

Since he is a father, he does need to stop the childish behavior since it is affecting everyone. Your challenge isn't how to tell the kids, but how to cope with the storm sleeping next to you. Something about your letter makes it seem his trouble isn't with the noise and that he'd act this way in many situations. If this is true, good luck. By the way, what about you? How do you deal with his behavior? You are a more tolerant person than I want to be.

"They've never been to where you're coming from. It's some France of your brain they don't speak the language of."

Great metaphor CT! Just returned from Paris, and boy do they let you know how very NOT French you are.

LW,

Good to meet you. So, you are unique, an original. How different are you really? Surprise us, show 'us'... the rest of the world that you seem to be against. I know from experience that you must get so tired, swimming against the tide every day. Everyone is struggling, don't kid yourself. Put it into your work then, whatever it is that you do. Everyone feels different much of the time and we are so similar, so the same. Read what Cary said about people solving problems and think of it every day.

For some reason, this letter has been rattling in my dusty head all day and since some posts mention the Mormon faith I'll just add this:

I am currently friends with a woman who happens to be a Mormon. I disagree with the philosophy they have but would never presume to get involved in her spiritual life. Her religious choice only comes into play if I say, " Hey, let's have a drink!" or "Want to go for a coffee?" Even then, she'll go along and have something else. She's funny, lovable and kind. I value our friendship but know that after a certain point it can't go any deeper.

LW, you seem to want to go deeper with this friend. Because Scientology presents a unique challenge for the doubters, you may want to think about this need you have to rescue her. As I've said, I hear you on the creepy factor, but human beings are multi-faceted and that is not defining her entire existence.

When I read your letter, all I could think of was " RUN! RUN! RUN!", but Cary had to take the high road and I concur. Still, something bothers me about this situation you are in. Maybe it's the way you want to rescue her. Are you new friends, just friends? I recognize the kind and loving thing to do would probably be to stick around and just be the fun friend, without judgement or even questions. Is that entirely authentic?

If she resists, maybe it's a good idea to distance yourself from this person. I have some experience in philosophy and religion and share your academic interest in this field. This just doesn't sound right though, especially her reaction to your query. My best friend got tangled with Scientology many years ago and they are creepy. They sound like robots, I hear you. Good luck with this one.

It it great to see your faces, I dig it! Since childhood, I've had a preoccupation with writers and their lives. I didn't just want to read Tolstoy, I wanted to know where he lived, how he acted in social situations, etc. Not that we see your lives in a viddie, but at least we see you are real, live, capable of facial expressions and inflection! Unlike say, "The VC Andrews Trust" or other writers who seem to churn out words, even from 6 feet under.

I was thrilled to meet some people in my travels who write for or used to write for Salon. It rounds out the picture for this reader. Besides, video is optional. Distracting for some who want pure words, but this is a new age and Salon belongs in it.

Now, where is Cary and Heather Hav? How about some readers too, that would be entertaining. Although I enjoy that the posts are judged solely on material, it would be interesting to have a face with the name at times. I have some faves and look for their posts. Could be scary, but always entertaining.

LW,

I agree with you. I don't have time to go through the other posts, so forgive if this is a rehash of something already sent. I think chemistry is there or it isn't and that a person can tell pretty quickly. It's too bad that in your life right now you are seeing potential mates in 2D and reading about them online. It's impossible to tell the type of chemistry you speak of that way. It's complicated.

Also, where you live and your lifestyle is making you feel this sense of urgency. When you said that we all need friends you were onto something. Maybe stop seeking Mr. Perfect and start opening to Mr. Let's just hang out. After all, a "mate" isn't going to make everything perfect, and you may have some fun anyway!

Cary, I enjoy your rants and when you go off on a tangent. I hope you never stop your unique brand of storytelling. Your column and the variety of posts are both fun, so thanks.