Has anyone ever told you you have an obsession?

[hyphenate]

I was told bluntly today that I had a very bad obsession by a good friend. I tend to disagree, of course. I don't get out much lately, and there are only so many topics a person can talk about when they're contemplating the universe all by their lonesomes.

I was talking about the religious right when I was told I was obsessing, and how much I hate Rick Santorum and others like him when the topic came up. I'm beginning to think that I'm just not hanging around with the right people, not the topics I discuss!

[Neoma]

1. I obsess over DU.

[hyphenate]

3. I regard DU, both old and new

one of my cherished sanctuaries, where I can blather all I want, and no one is going to yell at me for being obsessive or stupid, or hateful. On a certain level, I would rather spend time here than with real life people anymore.

[Iggo]

2. Yes.

And she was right.

[hyphenate]

14. So what did you do about it?

Did the obsession mess you up for awhile? Is that friend still a friend?

[Iggo]

16. "Is that friend still afriend?"

No.

Was it unhealthy? Yes.
What did I do about it? I left her alone and I eventually got over it.

I'm eternally grateful for the fact that she sat me down and calmly but firmly talked to the man-child I was like an adult*.Sometimes I think I want to get back in touch with her to show her what a well-rounded grown-up I've become. Then I come to my senses. Why fuck with success? If it's working, let it work.

*or like a child, come to think of it.

[hyphenate]

23. Sometimes it seems I'm on the other

end of that equation. I've been the one who has made the speeches, tried to talk to people and been the critic. And yes, as a result, I've lost friends along the way. However, I have also been friends with, and fiercely loyal to, some friends for 20-30 years. I think this is one of my faults, though, when I put full trust in someone who then seriously disappoints me--it's harder to take when that happens. Hence, that person goes on my shit list, and I obsess about why I had to get them out of my life.

I wouldn't do it if I felt there was still a chance to reconcile somewhere along the line, but in some cases, there are just so many obstacles in the way.

In the case of the fundie, I just couldn't grasp her entire religious beliefs anymore, and in the case of the current friend calling me out, there is an inextricable bond which is difficult to do anything about (I live rent-free in his house, in a separate apartment.)

[Odin2005]

4. I'm an Aspie, what do you think???

[hyphenate]

15. I know Aspies, but know very little about their actual social situations

How does it affect your social life?

[Odin2005]

21. I try to hang around people that share my interests.

I can't stand small talk and I've learned not to bore people.

[hyphenate]

24. I wish I could

ignore more of them!

As it is right now, I have very few people to talk with on a regular basis, and so I tend to say more than I might say if I were around people more.

[bluedigger]

5. This one's for you.

[hyphenate]

6. That makes me feel a little better

There are an awful lot of assholes around.

[intaglio]

7. People have told me I am obsessed

but I don't think I am, I mean I check on it sometimes ... but that doesn't mean I obsess about it ... I just make sure I have a note to check, not often, well sometimes ... but that's natural ... after all doesn't everybody check out how fixated they are? ... and I can be certain I am not obsessive about it because the last time I checked, an hour or so ago ... well perhaps 10 minutes ... or was it only five? ... I hadn't become obsessed in the couple of minutes since the check before that so I am certain I'm not obsessed ... but I'd better just check ...

[hyphenate]

17. lol!

Believe me, I understand!

[Mopar151]

8. If the fools on the political right don't upset you, you're not conscious!

Some people's "obsessed" is our "paying attention".

[Populist_Prole]

9. You've got THAT right!

I'm sick and tired of being told by numbskulls that knowing what's what is cynicism. To that end I am an absolute snob: and proud of it.

[siligut]

10. Some people seem purposefully obtuse

This can make one ruminate because it seems so impossible that no one around them seems aware of the idiocy we are presented with.

[hyphenate]

18. I know I do have some obsessions

but I also know everyone does. This friend I was talking with stays talking about the same subjects all the time, too, and boy, do I get tired of listening to him. But I would like a friend who doesn't mind listening to me go on about something important to me, without criticizing me for it.

Everyone has got something they're passionate about--why can't my passion be to get the fundies out of our government, and convince the real majority that the religious right is tearing apart our culture and educational system with their deadly creationism, and their moral extremes?

This same friend seems have to decided that my opinions aren't relevant anymore because I'm not as outgoing as I used to me. When you're housebound, it's kind of hard to talk about a whole lot more than you can.

We share so little in common anymore. But he's the only close friend I have right now.

As summer approaches, I'll get out more, I hope, but damn--if I didn't obsess sometimes, I'd be a vegetable by now!

[siligut]

26. I think we have the same obsession

If I am reading you right, you realize what the religious right is trying to do to this country. Have you read up on Dominionism? Does the thought of Rmoney or Santorum as POTUS make you want to tear your hair out and puke at the same time? Are you disappointed that intelligent people can't seem to grasp that beneath the clean-living exterior of Christianity lies some of the most treacherous, devious and power hungry people on earth? Yes? We have the same obsession.

[hyphenate]

29. Wow--you've got it--on the nose!!!

Yup. All of the above.



Most importantly, I find creationism ludicrous, and realize by trying to force that shit down the throats of kids, we will not only destroy the world, but make the US a third world nation quicker than we could say "amen."

[rug]

11. Over and over..

[hyphenate]

19. Time after time. ...

[HopeHoops]

12. I have an obsession for gathering opinions about my obsessions.

[hyphenate]

20. I used to, but I got rid of that particular obsession.

I just got kicked in the ass with this friend's rebuke, and I don't feel like I deserved it.

[HopeHoops]

28. Great. Now I'm obsessed with this thread.

[hyphenate]

30. lol! eom

[pipi_k]

13. I would define

an obsession as something that greatly interferes with a person's normal life.

If you're still doing normal things otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it...

[hyphenate]

22. Thanks!

It is, however, difficult to ascertain "normal."

[pipi_k]

25. So true...

I often have to look around me at what others are doing and try to figure it out from there. If what I'm doing seems to fall sort of in the middle of two extremes, I figure it's got to be relatively "normal"...

But mostly I think interests become obsessions when they take over a person's life to the extent that the person doesn't have time for much else.

Or they cause major problems with relationships.

I used to be obsessed with being "right" on the Internet (losing sleep...planning witty replies, etc.) ...now I don't really care. That's progress....

[hyphenate]

31. I wouldn't have a problem with talking with anyone

around me if they didn't look like they were perpetually bored with what I had to say.

[Major Nikon]

27. Four of my ex-wives told me I was obsessed with prostitutes

So I married a prostitute.

[hyphenate]

32. How's that working out for you? eom

[Major Nikon]

33. Surprisingly not as well as one might expect