Friendly Relations and Mutual Hatred

William Rawlins defines the second stage of the friendship journey as “Moving beyond the rules of public interaction and into conversations that relates to someone else as a person, not just a job or role they are fulfilling. You learn more info about someone else, their likes and dislikes, whether they have any hobbies, etc.”

In the age of technology, it is almost easier to learn about someone else because there are no annoying people around to get in the way. Wait, that didn't come out right. What I mean is, you can take more time e-corresponding than you would if that conversation was live in person where you would have to actually see their facial expressions in response to the things you say, you know, like that time you called Betty White a skank. Seeing peoples' reactions to hearing the truth sometimes makes one self-conscious and less likely to share their likes and dislikes. In our case, it was dislikes. Having already determined that Betty was probably evil, we then learned that we also share a mutual hatred for good looking Hollywood couples, emoticons and overnight camp. A solid foundation to continue to pave our e-friendships' way.

Kathryn Rawson July 14 at 4:33pm
Sometimes I feel that my apocalypse enthusiasm is so all-consuming it must radiate from me. But then I remember that I have the coolness of a Russian spy when it comes to personal interaction so it makes sense that it's not completely obvious.

Some of the best e-friendships are based on mutual hatred. Fact of science.

Rachel Kagan July 15 at 9:59am
I wonder what else we mutually hate? I now hate Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz for getting married and being so sickeningly good looking and happy. Jerks.

I rented Zombieland last night. It painted a bleak picture of the future for when BW visits the infernal regions of St. Olaf, if you catch my drift.

How long have you been consumed by apocalypse enthusiasm?

Kathryn Rawson July 15 at 12:59pm
I hate those good-looking Spanish jerks too! Where do they get off with their on-screen chemistry that they have translated into a successful off-screen marriage. Where?

I have been consumed by the apocalypse since at least grade 7 when I wrote my first post-apocalyptic wasteland poem.

Rachel Kagan July 15 at 4:11pm
We have so much in common it’s scary.

The highlight of grade seven for me was probably seeing Drop Dead Fred on a double date. I was dumped shortly after. Oh, I also hate emoticons.

Kathryn Rawson July 16 at 10:28am
I once said I wanted the following on my tombstone: would rather have been horribly misunderstood and hated than to have used an emoticon. That was in my angrier days. Now I would go with something more simple like: I'm going to haunt all of you.

Do you also have some faded and yellowed loose leaf paper with poetry written on it?

It's hard not to get dumped after Drop Dead Fred. Its message of utter hopelessness would destroy any budding relationship. I got dumped in grade 7 for being too prudish. I was 12, what did he want from me? More than a kiss on the cheek apparently.

Rachel Kagan July 16 at 11:14am
:)*

No poetry, but I still have camp letters to my parents (one for each of them – thanks divorce for doubling my work load!). The young printing of those letters all demanded that I be picked up immediately as it was an awful place (it was beautiful). The letters usually had an added ps that said I loved the food and sailing and A&C. So conflicted.

In retrospect I wish that I had been a better camper instead of foreshadowing my future intolerance of people, particularly counselors. Did you go to camp? Some of my favourite movies are about camp.

*I hate myself for doing that.

Kathryn Rawson July 16 at 2:19pm
I went to Camp Tawingo as part of grade school. We only went for a few days. I remember they made us jog around in the freezing cold one morning in our pyjamas for being noisy. Even though I'm certain I was not responsible, being a shy, quiet child. Bastards! If I ever meet those assholes on a dark street they are totally going to be stabbed! First I will have to remember what the assholes looked like and who they were. But that is just a small detail.

I also had to pee so bad on the bus ride home I think I almost died. My memories of camp are not fond ones. Although I too love camp movies and the romanticized version of camp they present. Especially when there is some kind of murderer. Ahhh, murder! Is there anything more romantic?

p.s. your emoticon caused tears of blood to leak from my eyes.