I’ve was perusing the internet this morning and suddenly thought to myself “why did I have to be born a social creature? Why couldn’t I have just been an Arboreal Artesian Shrew.” The reason for this sudden urge to “get away from it all” was that I completely and totally disagreed with the post I was reading, but because I am Jay, I felt I couldn’t say anything.

At my core, I am a people pleaser. I don’t like to argue or disagree with anyone. So, when there is opportunity to disagree, I usually just go into the next room. This actually works just as well on the internet as it does in real life, except in real life there is no way to go back and leave a comment. Usually my first thought is to go with the sarcastic comment “oh my gosh, you hate (insert race or sexual orientation) people? I hate them too. That’s so weird, lol! They are so stupid.”

But, I’ve discovered something. People don’t get sarcasm, unless you expressly state up front that you will be using sarcasm, and even then a few still miss it. (I write mostly sarcasm, just so you know.) (Except for today.) So, then people start thinking that I agree with Mrs. Hate, and then my world comes crashing down. It’s tough to please people when they think you hate them, or their brother.

So, I just let it go. And, that is how we got to where we are today. My wife mentioned this morning that I complain a lot. That’s true while I’m at home, because I feel confident that my wife’s opinion of me is rock-solid. (Plus she’s learned to tune me out during these times.) But, the core of my frustration, apart from the chronic knee pain, is that no matter how often we bat around the idea of improvement or change, nothing ever changes. This is true in politics, religion, my job (especially my job) and anytime you have to deal with the school board, or the state.

Were I to be a champion of tolerance and lash out at those who were narrow-minded in their assessment of other people, I would just become another voice in the online chorus. I would have zero effect on people’s opinions of anyone other than me. That, in itself, is the ultimate frustration.

Which is why I think it would be better to just be a tree-dwelling made up animal. At least then, when I was slaughtered from my beautiful coat, I could feel confident that I made someone happy.