listen to cary. he's nailed it. as an ex member of corporate america, I know he's right. it's a suffocating, soulless, cold, heartless existence. if any of my bosses had a fraction of his compassion and wisdom I'd still be making a huge salary and they would have a fantastic employee. as it is I chucked it in when I realized it was killing me. I went freelance and make a quarter of what I did before. but my life is mine and I choose who I have in it.

I could have written your letter! I too have that insane voice in my head going 24/7 reminding me how mediocre I am ONLY I'm not mediocre and either are you! If people are paying you and you're making enough for the great lifestyle you have you must have some talent! Come on! You know you're good. The thing that stood out in your letter for me was the fact that you don't blame your sister or let her slow you down. That shows character and guts. Even if you weren't talented (which you are) just that alone would make you okay in my book! Good luck killing that blue meany in your head!

P.S. Your kids will never like what you do. They'll always like everyone else's stuff. Trust me. I have a teenager and the last thing they want to do is to agree with their mom. You're the big obstacle that needs to be hacked down and destroyed for them to become them so don't EVER listen to your kids' opinions! That's instant suicide.

Anti depressants fkill your sex drive. (I haven't read any of the letters here so I'm sure someone has written this already.) If your husband gets to the point where he can stop taking them he'll probably get his drive back. I think it's important not to stay on these pills for a long period of time if one can do this. I haven't taken them for 5 years and am under more stress than ever right now and seem to be coping with it just fine. I think they readjust something. Unless you have a genetic pre-disposition for depression sometimes paxil or zoloft for a couple of months does the trick.

After watching generations of American TV comedy, anything that can make me scream with laughter at this point in my life has to FANTASTIC! That's what I love about WEEDS. It's one of the funniest shows on TV and also one of the smartest. If you're lucky enough to be old enough to remember irony (sadly lost in our cultural development these past decades) this show has it in spades. What gives me hope is that there are young writers out there who get it. You know? Who really get it. Totally sending up the American dream. Anyone who doesn't get it I feel sorry for. You either haven't been on the planet long enough to have a character arc or are buying into the bland, moralistic, boring, blind, inhumane, cruel, stupid, nightmare that is today's American dream. Evolve or watch LIFETIME.

I admit it - I am guilty of taunting my Prius owning friends by pointing out their cars consume gasoline. I can do this and feel superior because I have a a 25 year old Mercedes that runs on waste oil that I get from my local sushi restaurant. How's that for one upmanship? Hits several marks - Super cool old car. Recycled oil. Environmentally sound. And so advanced only a handful of people (mostly in Los Angeles) are doing it. I dread the day when everyone catches on to the movement and I have to sell the car and find the next cool thing.

I love Cary's grand gesture. It's so romantic and maybe it's what you both need but I hate to say this - I think your girlfriend wants to be with more men before she settles down. I've been married for 20 years to the same guy and we couldn't keep our hands off each other for the first 3 years. In fact, we both used to have wet dreams about each other and we were sleeping next to each other! A truly passionate connected relationship doesn't cool down to the point yours has in a year. Take Cary's advice and let her go. It may be you who changes his mind.

It's MI6 not M16.

MI5 is domestic intelligence. MI6 is international.

I agree with mann43212 - stop posting fake ads. Everyone with a computer and a digital camera is making these junk commercials and writing about them like the company really sanctioned them is stupid. Come on you guys - you're way smarter than this.

I'm a Creative Director in advertising and run a department of art directors, copywriters and designers. There is a huge market out there for young designers. It's the more senior people who are having trouble finding jobs these days. I don't know where you live but you really shouldn't be having that much trouble. It sounds like you're not very interested in it or you're scared or something. You certainly give up way too easily. If you want a critique of your work send me your website or some samples. I've won every award in the book - went to UCLA and Art Center College of Design - I will give you the value of my many years of experience in this industry. xanyjoan@yahoo.com