First, there's a virtual birthday celebration here tonight. I hope you've all made some plans to drop by at some point, at least for a few minutes. :) We west coasters will probably rock it out 'til fairly late, east coast time...

Now, to the real reason I'm writing this entry.

I personally have been experiencing a thick spate of misunderstandings here on site (only on this site, thank god!) which have led to some hurt or hard feelings on the parts of some of our members. I hate this, I really do, but it's part of being in a community, even a virtual one, and it's just on us all, every one of us, to work it out as best we can.

Fortunately, I know that includes me too. Most especially. :) Since I have not been able to predict successfully exactly which things I say (or don't say!) that are going to trigger all this (no, I'm not kidding. In at least two cases I've had to have it explained to me by a 3rd party. They used small words and in one case, visual aids), I have concocted The Plan (tm) to help me cope with the unintended consequences -- at least until this all passes.

So, for the next few days at least, I'll probably be greeting everyone with "Hi! I'm sorry! Is there something I can do to make it better for you?" Not to poke fun, not to minimize feelings, just to show as sincerely as I can that I never intend to hurt anyone with what I say and that if I have, I do want to know so we can make it better.

Seriously folks. If I'm ever upset with any of you, you will know it. I'll come out and tell you so, point blank, followed with reasons why. I don't have to hide behind smileys to snipe or take pot shots at anyone, so I don't. BUT, until things settle out here into something that's a little closer to normal, I'll be greeting you with that opener or something similar.

Wish me luck. :)