First Impressions

I’m wrong a lot. But I try to learn from my mistakes.

It’s hard though, because deep down in my soul, I’m a little naïve and a lot gullible. But I can’t help but give people the benefit of the doubt.

When I meet people under bad circumstances, I assume there’s hope for a middle ground if we’re open and honest with one another and try to fid the root of our disagreements. Because I’m fine with disagreement – hell, I love a good spirited argument. As long as they’re done respectfully.

And there have been several times recently where I’ve given someone the benefit of the doubt and been not only disappointed, but left feeling betrayed.

And the opposite has also been true.

Take B. I think I judged him too soon and underestimated him.

When I first met him, I categorized him as “just a guy” – because he works blue-collar, likes beer and sports and thrash metal. I had this sort of two-dimensional image of him as this smart-ass dude who likes to work hard and play hard but has no real depth to him. I mean – he doesn’t even listen to NPR! ;p

But the more I get to know him, the more I am learning what a genuinely good person he is. He has his issues and faults (we all do) but so far none of them involve anything that would hurt anyone else. In fact, I’m finding that he’s a remarkably caring and selfless person.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s definitely not the sort of person who’ll let others walk over him and he’s pretty firm in his opinions. But he’s honest and funny and real and just GOOD.

And I think I might be falling….

Shit.