Blunt

(playing pool as a freshman...Helaman Halls, the brick warehouse!)

When I was a kid, my mom used to always tell me that I was "reserved." Pointing out the the fact that I was NOT shy, just reserved. As a kid, I was a little confused...I mean, they sounded like the same thing! I was quiet in class, I was not super outgoing, my friends tended to find me instead of me finding them...what was the difference?

I think that to people I don't know well, I come off as a bit shy...I'm not particularly funny, I don't tell the best jokes, or wear the craziest outfits, or have the most intriguing hobbies or talents. And then even when I am with friends...I'm not THE kookiest, or THE silliest.

But I am NOT shy among friends.



I think as the years have progressed, and I have settled into some relationships that are deep and lasting--friends from college, immediate and extended family members, and especially Todd--I have become more blunt.

I have the tendency (weakness?) of being at times, very blunt. For example, last night I told Todd that I did NOT like cleaning. And I would probably NEVER be one of those women that enjoyed cleaning (I think I mentioned sewing in that bundle as well). Luckily, he said he knew that going into marriage, and then he laughed at me because I was so blunt. I mean, I can't lie and say, "Yes, I want to clean my whole life, it gives me such a joy to see a clean house." Blech. Cleaning stinks. I would rather be doing SO MANY OTHER THINGS. I will do it, but blech.

I speak my mind. Around people I know really well, my voice filter switches to off. Sometimes in the morning when I listen to AggravatingSNBC (oops, I mean, MSNBC the only biased news station we get over here) I yell at the TV. That way, they can't talk back either! I told Todd once that some people shouldn't have children (some people shouldn't!) He told me that probably wouldn't fly (legally, of course). I probably shouldn't say things like that out loud, but sometimes I do!

Todd probably won't appreciate this story, but I'm being blunt, right? When we had our first kiss, I said, "Hey, I was really bad, can we do that again?" I'm willing to admit my weaknesses :) (We are much better now, by the way). I call things like I see them.

Sometimes Todd will read my blog and say, "Are you sure you aren't sharing too much information?" In my mind, the only people reading my blog are people who already like me, so I don't have any worries about speaking my mind most of the time. I think because Todd knows I can be blunt, he cringes when he hears I've posted a new blog post. When I posted about my student that called another student a not so nice name, he asked me if I really should have posted that on the internet. My response was, "Well, that's what he said! It's not funny if I sugarcoat it!" I am SO not a sugarcoater. When my VT's came over the other night, I told them I wasn't a huge fan of a certain conference talk by a female. But I was more specific. But I didn't like it, so why pretend?

I'm not blunt in a mean way, I don't think. I don't direct my bluntness towards people I know, (most of the time?). I think I am very kind and forgiving towards others, because that's how I want them to treat me.

But everything else is up for a Megan-spun opinion.



(I really just wanted to post a picture of this feast, plus it was a day last year when Todd did ZERO studying! Those are always good, but rare, days! And I hope we get to eat in Heaven or I will be sorely disappointed)