I Think Too Much

Dear Al:
I think way too much about things that other people never seem to even notice.
What should I do?
-- Annika, www.expatsinitaly.com/annika

Dear Annika:
Stop thinking!

Cheating Friend

Dear Al:
I have a friend that has been cheating on her husband for over a year with one man. Her husband works out of the country for weeks at a time so she has a lot of time to carry on with this other guy. The thing is, her husband isn't the nicest guy in the world (he's sometime physically and emotionally abusive). The other man, is someone she virtually takes care of. She pays bills for him, buys him clothing, picks up the tabs when they go out, everything. He practically lives there when the husband is out of town. She claims she's in love with this guy and will not leave him alone, even though she know's he sees other women (so does her husband, yes this is a messy situation). The thing is though, the other week, she calls me and says "I'm going to tell my husband I let you borrow $1,000 but really I'm going to give it to [the other man] so he can pay his court fees" (he got a DUI). So I immediately was like hell no don't put me in the middle of your stories! So my question is, if the shit ever hit the fan (which I know it will) I don't want to be an accessory to this whole thing. Should I tell her I don't want to hang out with her anymore? Even though I know what she's been doing I know I can't be responsible for what a grown woman decides to do. But since I am actually a friend to her and her husband, and thinking about it I'm her only female friend (husband doesn't approve of her having many friends). I just feel like I'm caught in the middle of something that's going to conclude in a very, very brutal manner.
-- Caught in the middle, theartofstiltwalking.blogspot.com

Dear Caught:
A friend wouldn't try to pull you into her mess and risk a friendship. Doesn't sound like she gives a damn about you, just the leech that's taken her for a fool! Yes, don't hang out with her anymore. Drop her and her husband like a bad habit, avoid their place like the GAP! ;)

Don't be caught in the middle like the cream in an Oreo cookie, they'll chew your ass up! I hope this helped!

Online Romances?

Dear Al
Do you think that online romances could work in real life? Or are they purely fantasy?
-- Sandi, manicmanicurist.blogspot.com

Dear Sandi
To me online romances are extremely risky! How do we know if we're not chatting with Carrot Top on the other end?

Sometimes they might reveal themselves via webcam, but this doesn't show us what's ticking in their cranium. It's so easy to tell someone what they want to hear.

Personally I think it's best to leave fantasy right where we found it, on the monitor. But if a person wants to take that risk, bring a friend along on the first date, because you might need the back-up if this guy is a weirdo.

I didn't forget anybody

Just so nobody thinks I'm ignoring them, I'm not. I'm still sick, and it's taken alot out of me, but I am a little bit better. I will visit all your blogs as soon as I'm up to speed, and for those who emailed me, Sandi, Bob, Denise, Dumbass, Caught in the middle, Lori, and Ruffus, I haven't forgot you all, just hope I'm not too late!

I Hate My Job!

Dear Al:
I am just out of school and have been working for almost a year in a job that pays well, gave me car, an expense account, a computer, a cell phone, insurance, the whole shebang (not sure if that is actually how you spell shebang). The thing is, I HATE my job and have hated it just about since I started. I've been saying for 6 months that I am going to quit, but I haven't gone through with it. In the last fews weeks I have gotten kinda lazy and started slacking off in day to day responsibilities - I think the end is near. I would quit today if I knew I had a another job waiting for me, but that is alot easier said than done.
I have a couple leads that look promising, but you never know what could come of that. My current employer knows nothing of my discontent and it is really going to blow them away. I know the smart thing to do is just to ride it out until I find something, but I have gotten so lazy in my job the last few weeks that it would be hard continue like this. I want to free myself from this job, this burden that I have created in my life, and clear my thoughts...but I don't know how smart it is to go without real income and insurance. Should I quit now, breath a little easier, and continue my search for a new job (possibly taking a part time); or should I trudge through the next few weeks, continuing my laziness until something better comes up?
-- Jackson, Alabama

Dear Jackson:
You know what's gona come up if you continue your laziness for the next few weeks? A boot in your ass!

Pull yourself out of this slump, be the best at what you was hired to do, while you're looking for another job. No new employer will hire you if your old employer states that you SUCKED, but McDonalds might give you a chance.

To my readers who responded to my entry before this one, you are all worthy!