My dear friend Joel is leaving the gym where we have worked together and discussed all of life's big questions for the last few months together. Mostly we hash out our problems and give each other advice--probably him giving me more advice than me giving it to him. We all know I know nothing about boys and that boys are idiots. I need all the help I can get and Joel is good at that. I like to think I provide him with a least a little entertainment. This week we had some fun conversations:

Monday: Chills and Thrills--Biggest Fears.
     Joel is going camping this weekend with his girlfriend and other couple. In the Ozarks. He made a comment that he might be attacked by inbreeds (inbreds? I don't know the noun form of this word) like in the movie Wrong Turn. That is my biggest physical fear of all time. We then proceeded to discuss how creepy inbreeds could lurk out of the woods on a winding road and jump into your head lights, causing you to veer off the road and crash and then their entire inbred family will attack. Terrifying. Imagine a snaggle-toothed, hump-backed, stink-eyed inbreed with one gimpy arm staggering into your head lights on a dark road. Horrible. Biggest physical fear ever.
     We also have the same number one fear: failing. Or rather waking up one day and realizing we have regrets or didn't reach our potential. I think this is a common fear for many people. My third biggest fear is letting people know how I feel. To recap my fears: 1. Regret. 2. Inbreeds. 3. Exposure.
     Joel, however, thinks that exposure is a beautiful and exhilarating thing. He said that nothing feels better than throwing it all out into the light, waiting the breathless moment before the other party reacts and then watching how things fall from there. He's brave. I'm a weenie. However, he's probably right. Going out of your comfort zone is exciting. Scary is thrilling. That's why we like roller coasters, right?

Tuesday: Do It.
     Quit being a baby and tell people what you think. Call people out. Tell someone you have feelings for them. Live with no regrets. Light the fire and watch it burn. Okie dokie. Easier said than done.

Thursday: Big Sweeties.
     I told Joel about how I want to buy a house. A. I dislike renting when I think I want to stay here. B. I need a dog. Joel responds with: "That is very big-girl of you. But you don't need a dog. You need a boyfriend."
Me: "No, I need a dog. Someone to always be excited to see me when I get home and love me unconditionally."
Joel: "You just need a boyfriend. One who you aren't paranoid is a booty call."
Me: "I need a big sweetie dog and he will expect nothing but food and snuggles and runs. She. I'd probably have a girl dog."
 Joel: "Would it be weird if I got a girl dog?"
Me: "No, would it be weird if I got a boy dog? I could, you know, get a boy dog."
Joel: "You could."
Me: "It would be weird, though, if you dressed your girl dog in pink tutus and a spiky pink collar."

Life Lessons.