The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

As long-time readers would know, I don't get personal very often, but in light of some recent headlines, events, and chatter, I felt the need to do so. More than any other, I think a majority of writers despise the following questions and comments:  - "Writing isn't a real job; anyone can write." - "When will you finally go out into the real world and get a real job?" No, I don't know what constitutes a real job from an imaginary one or what separates real work from fantasy work, but almost nothing riles a writer more than comments and questions like these.  Like most jobs, there are definite pros and cons to writing. A major pair of pros are convenience and flexibility. Most days, one can get out of bed, make a cup of coffee, and start working at the computer having not showered nor changed. Whether one is a morning or a night person, he or she can typically work during the time they feel most alert and productive (this of course vari...

Of course, there's flip-flopping in politics, but there are plenty of people outside of politics who flip-flop regularly as well. Know anyone like this? It gets a tad annoying, doesn't it? One day, they may complain about someone they're dating. The next day, they absolutely hate the person they're dating. The third day, they're in love with this same person. Fourth day, they're not sure if things are going to work. Fifth day, things are good again, but not great. Sixth day, he or she mentions that there's definitely a mutual attraction on a physical level, but they're not sure if that's all it is. Seventh day, they break up. Eighth day, they're boyfriend and girlfriend again. Ever know anyone like that? Flip-flopping happens sometimes. We have the right to change our minds about something or our viewpoints as we learn about and experience new things. But if anything is done in excess, it can get to be quite irritating, just like in the examp...