Likewise, my attitude was completely different from yesterday's. Today, I felt chipper, energetic, and ready to take on the world. I got to the bus stop and just felt like... like I can carry this damn bus. *rawr*

So anyway, I'm still holding true to my talk to any and everyone who interests me thing. It's working pretty well. The only times I don't ask are when I think my question might make the other person uncomfortable. For example, there was a woman on the bus with what appeared to be a mountain hiking backpack (due to its size) and a musical instrument case. I play guitar so I was a bit interested in what she played but I wasn't sure if it was a musical instrument case and I didn't want her to have to talk about being homeless... Maybe I just should have asked anyway, I'm not sure. That's why I didn't, or at least how I rationalized why I didn't.

My successful talk of the day was with a guy in the elevator. The short of it is we talked, shared a laugh, went about our separate ways. The longer version is this:

First some background. The building I work in is 40 floors high and I work on the 38th floor. Now the elevators for my floor run from the 25th floor to the 40th floor which means anytime I want to go down there is a fairly good chance someone will call the elevator before I make it past number 25.

Well today, I had thought I was in the clear. The elevator was practically free falling I was going down so fast. 28, 27, 26, 25... 25... shit. I was in a hurry to get home since I was on my way to see Harry Potter. You know, important stuff. So this guy gets on at the 25th floor and I decide what the hell. I'm not sure if my honest though joking thoughts regarding his untimely entry will go over well, but I gotta try it out.

I tell him, "Must suck to be on the 25th floor huh? Always being the one who keeps people from getting to the bottom floor as quickly as possible." He laughs and agrees but he brought up a good point. He says that it works well for him since he always has an uninterrupted ride. We were both chuckling and so we chatted for a second or so more and then when we got to the bottom floor we said our goodbyes and made haste to our chosen mode of transportation.

The good news: I found a link from MetaFilter to my site thanks to @BitterOldPunk on Twitter! (http://www.metafilter.com/83360/Social-Skydiving)

The bad news: Lots of criticism.

I'm not going to defend myself against any of the criticism. Although it bruises my ego a bit, my large ego could stand a lil thrashing from time to time. Also (and this is why I want to talk about this), it is a pointless game to try to and get everyone to approve of me.

I talked a little about why having so many other people reading gives me more challenges to overcome and this is what I was referring to. I was afraid that people would respond negatively to my opening up so publicly. 

This same theme is one that has been running through every one of the days I've written about. Before I posted that rant yesterday regarding feeling negative and stressed I had a small battle with myself to not edit it. Finally, I just decided to let whatever may happen, happen. It's not my goal with this blog to make friends. I've been genuinely surprised that anyone would see me as the least bit likable in this whole thing. It's a total indulgence to just sit and write about myself and how I'm feeling. That on top of my pre-existing arrogance that I battle with daily PLUS my attempt to be positive and confident which can also easily sound like even more arrogance... yeah. I'm really surprised I haven't heard more comments of this kind.

At first it's hard when I read stuff like this because I think how I want to explain myself better. I feel as though that's a pretty big trap though. I've found that if I just accept that not everyone in the world will like me then I can say something like: My personality will tend to polarize potential friends. Those who are most unlike me will spurn me and those that are most like me will become my friends. It's like an organic self-selecting friendship network.

Who approves of me is not important. What is important is that I continue to honestly and sincerely keep working on myself. If I do that, then eventually, those complaints based on reality (I can't forget that many aren't) will be taken care of by the natural progression of my personal growth.

So that's my random thought on the matter. It's actually a really good thing, that gives me a balanced perspective on myself and keeps my Godzilla-sized ego in check. Thanks everyone for all of the comments. Whether they're positive or not, they all really do help to throw my actions into sharp relief against my intentions.