Letters to the Editor
Mango
Published Letters: 14
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It's time to feed your soul
[Read the article: I want to quit my boring, soul-destroying job]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This letter really struck me because I'm also one trying to get out. I've worked in an AA job for almost nine years and I too have a college degree. Not sure which camp I fall into according to "Epizia's" classifications of secretaries, but I'm sure I wouldn't want to be on her/his team as it were.
In any case, there are a million reasons why folks stay in unfulfilling jobs. I knew from day one that the AA route was not for me and it had nothing to do with arrogant notions of "it's below me" and (true quote from a co-worker at the time)"my daddy didn't send me to college so I could be someone's secretary!" I needed a job, experience in the "real world" and it seemed like a good place to be while I figured things out. During the nine years, I was confused about what work to pursue and then scared to go after it. I had fallen flat on my face in my first "real" job so I didn't want to do that again. I got closer to figuring things out by reading about a variety of fields, taking classes, and working with a life coach. Instead of going from job to job or traveling or whatever some people do to find their calling, my way was most comfortable for me.
I'm now in my early 30's and trying to embark on a new path and scared as ever. Looking back, I always knew what my niche would be, but ran away from it because it seemed far fetched and impractical.
So, LW, take the great advice from folks who say to plan an escape route and then take the plunge. I KNOW how difficult it is. Don't waste any more time. Best of luck to you!
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Dex Dexter?
[Read the article: I Like to Watch]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Wasn't he a character from 'Dynasty'? (I'm too embarrassed to know this, but I just HAD to ask.)
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Katie Couric:
[Read the article: The Fix]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Shut up and go away!
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Similiar experience w/an ex's sister
[Read the article: My boyfriend's ex puts me down in public]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Good advice and insight from Cary and the folks. I had an experience where I dated a guy whose sister was a nightmare and sadly I can’t call her intelligent, interesting, or attractive. For a time, I actually understood her behavior because I met him through her as she and I had been friends. I figured she didn't want to lose a friend and have her bro come between us. I tried to be sensitive and put myself in her shoes; but it proved impossible with someone immature and unreasonable. We too traveled in the same circle, but after some time, I just stopped hanging out with the group and going to the family functions. It alienated me from his parents because they just couldn’t see the situation clearly even though they witnessed many of her outbursts. I always took the high road, always just ignored her, but it proved to be too much and all I could do was remove myself from the situation and preserve my sanity. The parents thought I was the bad guy. Crazy people but pardon the cliché, blood is thicker than water. Anyway, we’re no longer together for many other reasons; but the experience taught me that you have to stand up for you and/or avoid the individual. The LW’s bf, while seemingly sensitive, isn’t going to help here. Perhaps there’s allegiance to his ex and he feels he’s stuck in the middle. As other folks have stated, concentrate on socializing with your own friends. She’s an ex and not a family member, so there’s little to lose. The risk of removing yourself from the group shouldn’t be a monumental setback to the relationship. If it is, then there are other issues. Good luck.
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More like the worst of times....
[Read the article: The breast of times]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This activity seems more about the mother than the boy. Maybe he needs to wean her off of him. I don't have children so my feeling may be a function of this; but I find it weird that a child who can walk, talk, and heck, even go to school, is breastfed. The author points out that she no longer produces any real milk. So other than for nutritional needs, what purpose is the breast serving here? Aren't there other less controversial night-time rituals that she and her son can engage in? But then again if that were the case, she wouldn't have had an edge in the publishing of her article.
On that note, I'm missing the Salon I first discovered, back in '99, more and more. It's gone downhill with the level of writing and types of articles published. Thankfully we haven't seen much from Ayelet Waldman lately. Maybe these two mommies can get together and compare notes (just please don't publish them here!) instead of subjecting the rest of us to their navel-gazing. But then again, maybe Ms. Waldman operates under a pen name these days given the immense amount of negative responses her articles generate. In any case, Salon just ain't what it used to be.