I defer to the more experienced, here...

Currently in Earphones: Corvus Corax's Tritonus

So, about a month ago, a fairly good friend sent me an e-mail that took me a bit off guard in that it was fairly odd, even for her. The subject matter itself was nothing big or worrisome, but it was somewhat strange, and I couldn't quite tell what to make of it. Was she just goofing around? Being sincere? Something else? In any case, I was unsure how to respond, but did so anyway, and in a my usual wry fashion, or so I thought.

I could go on and on about how Computer Mediated Communication is a "lean medium," in that vocal and physical subtleties are easily lost in it. Hell, I wrote my final paper on it for Communications 3 in my Sophomore year, so you would figure that I might know better. The long and the short of it was that she took my response to be far more dry and sarcastic than I had intended it to be, evidently on the point of being insulting, and her following response was very clear that she wasn't pleased with what she had gotten out of my missive.

I found myself at a stand-still: Being the guy that I am, I hate confrontation, and this chain of communication was making me more and more uncomfortable. However, she was a good enough friend that I was upset by what had befallen, but I found myself not caring enough to immediately rectify the situation. Exhibiting the typical guy behavior, I didn't touch the matter further, and of course I haven't resumed any form of communication with her since then.

Currently I've been reminded that she's still around, and the fact that we haven't talked in ages, and I've reached a conundrum that is most likely a lost cause. I keep going back and forth: On one hand, I do miss her company and conversation, but on the other, I wonder if I truly care enough to work at resuming this friendship. However, I've probably screwed myself royally by divesting myself of the situation to begin with.

For those of you older and wiser than myself, all I ask is if you've had such experiences yourself, or if you have any advice on the whole subject. Try to keep any "told-you-so's" to a minimum, I know I've most likely been an ass about the whole thing. Anything else would be appreciated, though.

Thanks, all!


Enough, More Later.
- James