Optimism, Cynicism, and Skye

Sonja claims that her glass is half full. I once assessed my family using the glass half full/half empty method. Here were my findings:

My mother: "Half full." In fact, she's probably going to assume it's even more full than it looks. Optimism is her middle name. A more positive, forward thinking woman you will never find. We're lucky to have her around so that her positivity and normalcy can counteract the rest of the crazies running around the family.

My father: "The glass is twice as big as it needs be." Classic engineer. He's not concerned with the outlook, so much as optimizing the current situation. Obviously, what's called for in this situation is a smaller glass. Engineers are great to have around -- not only can they balance your checkbook for you, but they also make sure that your pictures are hung perfectly straight and everything in the house is symmetrical. Very useful people. I lucked out with both my parents.

My brother: "What water? I think i drank it while i was working..." Bryn is, shall we say it politely, a workaholic. I'm trying to cure him of this.

And then there's me: "Oohh! Water!" The nicest thing that can be said about me is that I live IN the moment. I don't worry too much about the future and the consequences, I'm just happy with the right now. Personally, I believe this makes a much happier person that a lot of other people. Motivation? Who needs it.

Actually, the reality is that I'm in interesting blend of both my parents. I'm both optimistic and what my father calls realistic, but most people call cynical. For example, the water glass. This is probably my thought process. "Oooh! Water!" Yes, i already mentioned this, but it bears repeating, since it really is reality. Then I'll think: "The glass is half full! God, I'm such a moron for thinking the glass is half full." So I'm cynical about being optimistic. How screwed up is that?

The moral to this story is that I'm in no way entitled to rain on Sonja's parade about looking at the glass being half full. In fact, I'll encourage her in all this. Go Sonja! You're so 5!

In a side note, the way JB relates the whole water glass thing: "Jeez, Skye left another water glass laying around." He seems to have this thing about me not always finishing my glasses of water. Dunno why. :) I'm just as likely to walk by a few hours later and go: "Oooh! Water!" and drink it then.